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Senior boys Aces miss out on championship title

The Aces did not place during the volleyball provincials Nov. 23-25
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Dekker Gillett prepares to serve during one of the games during the provincial tournament in Eckville Nov. 23-25. Eckville ended in second place in their pool before being eliminated from playoffs. Photos by Megan Roth/Eckville Echo

The Eckville Aces squared off against five of the best volleyball teams in Alberta during the 1A Boys’ Provincial Volleyball Championships, Nov. 23-25.

The top 10 teams in Alberta came to Eckville where they were divided into two pools for a round robin play which helped to figure out who would move on to the playoff games for the championship title.

Playing in Pool A, the Eckville Aces played very well and ended in second place in their pool.

“Our boys played at the highest level and were fully worthy of their second place pool standing,” said Aces Head Coach Cody Magneson.

Magneson said the weekend playoff games were both exhilarating and disappointing, as the Aces were knocked out of the playoffs early on the third day.

The Aces went on to play the Living Waters Warriors, the third place team in Pool B, for a spot in the quarter finals. Ultimately the Aces lost, which ended the season the morning of Nov. 25.

“It would have been great to advance to the medal matches because we wanted to have more chances to perform in front of the awesome support we received,” Magneson said.

There was plenty of spectators present for all games, all of which cheered loudly for their teams.

The semi-final games say the Eckville High School’s gym packed to watch the Central Alberta Christian Knights and the Senator Gershaw Gators advance to the championship game.

Brian Holland, tournament chair and principal of the high school, said he was very impressed with how this year’s provincial tournament went.

“The quality of play, the sportsmanship demonstrated and the wonderful work of the legion of staff, student, parent and community volunteers made this quite simply the pinnacle of those events,” said Holland, adding this is the fifth time Eckville has hosted this tournament since he started at the school.

The community, school and staff who worked to organized the tournament should be proud of the outcome, according to Holland.

When speaking of the host team, the Aces, Holland said the team should be proud of their accomplishments at the tournament and throughout the season.

“The host team played outstanding and made their school and community proud. Head Coach Cody Magneson and his staff should be very proud of their play, attitude and competitiveness,” Holland said.

During round robin play, the Aces lost only one game, which earned the team second place.

In the end the championship title went to the Central Alberta Christian Knights, who won the final game two close sets to zero over the Senator Gershaw Gators.



megan.roth@eckvilleecho.com

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Evan Sparrow sets up Cam Opsahl to smash the ball back over the net for another point in favour of the Aces.