Colts girls volleyball team punches ticket to provincials

By JAMES TUBB on November 23, 2021.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

The McCoy Colts varsity girls volleyball team is off to provincials in Westlock.

The Colts won the South Zone AAA championship Saturday after beating hometown Winston Churchill three sets to one on Saturday.

One of McCoy’s head coaches, Taylyn Weisgerber, said it was nice to see the determination from the girls in the win.

“I’m definitely pretty proud of them, they definitely came out Saturday with a great momentum and energy,” Weisgerber said. “Friday we actually only won one of our games, keeping us in the fourth place spot for playoffs. The girls fought hard on Saturday and they pulled through. I was very excited and proud of them for pulling that off.”

McCoy beat Eagle Butte in the semifinals to advance to face Winston Churchill. Weisgerber said facing a local team in Eagle Butte and beating the home team helped the Colts stay focused.

“It definitely helped and gave us lots of motivation because we knew they were going to both be very tough games,” Weisgerber said. “It definitely helped with our energy and staying focused. It was nice to be able to take the home team in their home gym, but it definitely was not easy. The girls fought hard.”

In her first year behind the bench for the senior team, Weisgerber said she did not have any expectations heading into the season, but has enjoyed getting to know her new players and getting back on the court.

“It’s been lots of fun learning how the girls want to be coached and just learning about the girls and getting to know them,” Weisgerber said. “I knew a few of them from last year. I coached the junior varsity team, so I was able to coach a few of them. It was nice just to be able to have such a successful first year. Especially it’s kind of our first year back from COVID.”

Weisgerber, alongside her fellow head coach Haylee Fernetti, will debrief last weekend’s tournament win with the team and practise before leaving Wednesday for provincials in Westlock. She says the bus trip and whole new experience will be nice for the team.

She added, much like at the start of the year, she doesn’t really have any expectations ahead of provincials but is happy their season will continue.

“Just being able to get the opportunity to extend our season to provincials is just a dream come true,” Weisgerber said. “Being able to have a full season like this is something awesome for the girls and ourselves. So, we’re glad our season gets to continue but for the most part I think we are just happy we get to be there, get to play some more volleyball, have fun and hopefully be successful.”

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