1A/2A zone tournament begins

The 1A/2A South Zone Volleyball Championships began Thursday at the Lethbridge College Val Matteotti Gym.

Teams from across southern Alberta are competing for berths in the provincial championships next weekend.

In 1A Girls, Picture Butte Sugar Queens opened with a 25-12, 25-8 win over Coalhurst Crusaders while Nobleford Noble Central Blades went three sets before defeating Milk River Erle Rivers Novas 23-25, 25-17, 15-9.

In 1A Boys, Brant Christian is 1-1 after two matches on Thursday, losing 25-13, 25-10 to Bow Island Senator Gershaw while defeating Noble Central Blades 25-22, 22-25, 18-16.

Vauxhall Vi-Queens opened with a win in 2A Girls, defeating Vulcan County Central Hawks 25-10, 25-11. Fort Macleod F.P. Walshe also won its opener, topping Claresholm Willow Creek Cobras 26-24, 25-16.

Magrath Pandas needed three sets to defeat Immanuel Christian Eagles 25-9, 18-25 and 15-11 while Raymond Comets topped Kainai Lady Warriors 25-19, 25-5.

In 2A Boys, Immanuel Christian defeated the Vauxhall Vikings 25-9, 25-13.

Results from other 6:30 p.m. games, plus the 8 and 9 p.m. draws, were unavailable at press time.

Action continues today with matches starting at 2 p.m. and continuing throughout the afternoon and evening. The 8:45 p.m. time slot has been set aside for tiebreakers if needed.

The playoff rounds begin Saturday at 10 a.m. with the 1A Girls medal games at 3:30 p.m., the 1A boys at 5 p.m., 2A Girls at 6:30 p.m. and the 2A Boys at 8 p.m.