ENDHS Wildcats win 6th tournament vs top 2A competition; AJSH hosts tourney

While no longer undefeated, the Wildcats clawed their way to another tournament win, setting themselves up for what they hope will be a successful playoff run.

Notre Dame’s girls volleyball team hopped on the bus to the Rumble in the Rock tournament, hosted in Rocky Mountain House last weekend, and featuring some of the stiffest competition they’d seen all season.

In Notre Dame’s pool was Vauxhall High School, the team that defeated the Wildcats in the bronze medal game at last year’s 2A Provincial Championship.

After both teams went 2-0 to open pool play, they locked horns Saturday morning to determine the first seed in their group. Vauxhall came out guns blazing and cruised to a set one win, roughing up the ‘Cats 25-16. The NDHS ladies battled hard to even it, but Vauxhall managed to edge out a 25-23 win in the second set to close the match and claim the pool.

It was the first loss of the season, and snapped a 36 game winning streak for Notre Dame, placing the Wildcats as the second seed. 

The Wildcats made quick work of Peace River in the quarterfinal, advancing to the semifinals against Ponoka’s St. Augustine, which didn’t last long with dominant 25-10 scores in each set. 

That set up a rematch in the final against Vauxhall, who also cruised to playoff victories en route to the gold medal game.

“The gold game would be an epic battle,” wrote coach Scott Cameron.

In set one, Vauxhall built a comfortable 22-14 lead and threatened to run away with the match early. But the ‘Cats replied with a massive 9-1 run to tie the set 23-23. Vauxhall held on with a 26-24 win, but the Notre Dame ladies had momentum on their side and came out hungry in set two, building a 15-10 lead that would hold up for a 25-21 win.

The decisive third set would seesaw back and forth, with Vauxhall up 8-6 when teams switched sides.

The ‘Cats quickly answered with a stuff block and ace serve, seizing back the lead 10-9. The teams traded points through scores of 11-11, 13-13 and 14-14 before Vauxhall edged ahead 15-14. Against match point, the ‘Cats dug in, scoring the last three points to muscle out the 17-15 win.

The win was Notre Dame’s 6th straight tournament gold as they wrapped up regular season play having won every single tournament they entered with a win/loss record of 39-1.

The Wildcats now turn their attention to 2A Zones, which will take place in Vegreville on the November 18-19 weekend. 

Assumption hosts annual tourney

Assumption Jr/Sr. High School hosted several Lakeland area teams over the weekend in its annual tournament.

Schools in the boys and girls draw included F.G. Miller in Elk Point, Plamondon, Two Hills, Cold Lake High, J.A.W.S in Lac La Biche, St. Mary’s in Vegreville, Bonnyville Centralized, Mallaig, and Bill Woodward from Anzac.

The Two Hills Tigers took gold on the boys side, beating J.A.W.S in the final. Cold Lake High School mustered a consolation side victory.

CLHS girls defeated Plamondon on the girls side in the final, with St. Mary’s winning the consolation.

Images and files provided by Scott Cameron, Meagan MacEachern, Lakeland Catholic School Division.