Talons win SEZVL boys championship

By James Tubb on November 5, 2021.

James Tubb

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com
Twitter: ReporterTubb

The Eagle Butte Talons senior boys are atop the South East Zone Volleyball League.

Eagle Butte beat the McCoy Colts in two straight sets Wednesday night to capture the senior boys volleyball city championship.

Talons head coach Darren Dola says he is proud of his team and excited for them winning the SEZVL championship after all of their work this volleyball season.

“Very proud of them, they’re a great group of boys,” Dola said. “They’re very respectful and they’re very coachable and they want to learn and they just have a heart of gold. They play with a lot of heart and determination. Every single solitary one of those boys that I coach this year, they’re top notch, great boys to work with.”

The Talons finished the regular season with a 2-2 record. Dola says his team grew from their first tournament until the championship win. He says Eagle Butte played some really good teams and that playing good competition improved his players.

Before advancing to the championship round, the Talons were in a tight semifinal matchup against the Crescent Heights Vikings. Eagle Butte won the first set 25-18 before the Vikings came back 25-21 in a back-and-forth second set to force a decisive 15-point third set.

The Talons and Vikings required extra points in the third set before Eagle Butte pulled out the 20-18 win. Dola says his hair probably got greyer as he coached from the sideline.

“I was probably more verbal than I have ever been just trying to communicate with the players as they were playing,” Dola said. “They just needed all the help they could get, but yea it was nerve wracking.”

Dola said he was glad they faced tough competition en route to the championship in their two matches Wednesday night, because he says that’s when his team performs at their best.

“When the competition wasn’t strong we just didn’t play well but every time we played against strong competition these guys step up a notch and match the competition we’re playing,” he said.

The Talons have two weeks of practice before they will compete for the zone championship. Dola says it will be a tough matchup for his team.

“It’s going to be tough. Zones are tough,” Dola said.”There is quite a bit of competition there and that’s when you have to be at the top of your game when you get to that level. It’s a totally different story.”

Colts enjoy winning year

The Colts varsity boys team finished second to Eagle Butte Wednesday night but had three players named SEZVL all-star selections in Joel Lehr (league MVP), Collin Gripp and Ryan Klein.

At the junior level, the Colts girls team won the SEZVL championship Tuesday night after being the top team in the regular season.

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