High schools prepare for volleyball zone championships

High school volleyball teams across the Lakeland are preparing for their biggest tournament of the season this weekend.

It’s the ASAA Zones Championships for boys and girls volleyball teams who are vying for a banner and a birth into Provincials the following weekend.

Bonnyville, Cold Lake, St. Paul and Lac La Biche high schools will try to use all the momentum they’ve gained over the course of the two-month season to claim a gold, silver, or bronze medal.

St. Paul Regional High School girls are a unique position as they host 3A ASAA Provincials Nov. 21-23 meaning they have a guaranteed spot past this weekend.

That doesn’t mean they’re taking the zones competition lightly, said girls coach Hank Smid.

“Maybe the pressure is off us a little bit going to zones but obviously we want to use zones as a lead up into provincials. Cold Lake is strong. I think Holy Rosary (Lloydminster) is equally as strong and from what I understand. JAWS (Lac La Biche) pulled off the big victory last week sometime as well. They are in the mix as well,” said Smid.

Teams competing in the 2A category include École Notre Dame High School, BCHS, Assumption Jr/Sr. High School.