The Kamsack Comprehensive Institute junior girls volleyball team placed second at the eight-team district tournament played at KCI on October 29.
In order to have advanced to the district competition, a team, comprised of students in grades 7 to 9, had to place first or second at their conference competitions, explained Julianna Nichol, who with Kim Gulka, coaches the team. The KCI team had placed first at its four-team conference competition held in Preeceville on October 21.
The Langenburg placed first at the district tournament, while Esterhazy was third, Nichol said. Other teams participating were from Melville, Sacred Heart in Yorkton, Yorkton Regional High School, Churchbridge and Preeceville.
Explaining that each game is determined by the best of two sets, Nichol said that Kamsack first defeated Esterhazy in two sets and Yorkton Regional in two sets before losing to Churchbridge in three sets.
In the playoffs, KCI defeated Melville in two sets and then lost both sets to Langenburg.
The district competition ended the junior volleyball season, which had begun in September. On their way to the districts, the KCI team had placed first in a five-team tournament at Keeseekoose Chiefs Education Centre in mid-October and then attended competitions in Esterhazy, Langenburg and Canora.
Many members of the team were in Grade 9 so next year’s junior team will be playing without them, she said. They will be advancing to senior volleyball.
The team built its strength as the season progressed, she said. “We’re looking forward to having a strong team next year.”
The KCI also had a junior B girls team, she said. The team, coached by Amanda Carpenter and Kari Thomas, played against teams from Keeseekoose and Canora.
