Colts look to ride momentum into provincial playoffs
The Swift Current Comp. Colts senior boys volleyball team will attempt to carry the momentum of two straight tournament championships back to their home court as they begin the provincial playoffs this weekend.
The Colts were in Yorkton this past weekend where they won 14 straight games to bring home gold.
They opened the tournament with a win over Crocus Plains from Brandon, MB, followed by straight sets wins over Estevan, Yorkton, and the North Battleford Comp.
The Colts defeated Moose Jaw AE Peacock in straight sets in the quarterfinal and then knocked out Melville in the semi-final before defeating Oxbow in two straight games in the championship match. They trailed 15-3 in the final and came back to win 26-24.
"That was huge because our team used to struggle with staying positive and upbeat during the middle portion of each game. That just shows we have what it takes mentally to come back from any hardship we will face from now on," noted head coach Dan Andrie.
The Colts had been in Moose Jaw in their previous tournament outing where they finished first overall. They placed second in the round robin with wins over Moose Jaw AE Peacock, Estevan, and Moose Jaw Vanier and split sets with Lumsden and Mossbank.
They defeated Oxbow in straight sets to open the playoffs, took three sets to down Winnipeg's Garden City in the semi-final, and then took out Weyburn in two straight games in the championship match.
The Colts will host the SHSAA 5A South Region tournament this weekend where seven teams will be vying for three spots at Provincials, which will be held the following weekend in Saskatoon.
The Colts will be joined by Yorkton Regional, Balgonie, Moose Jaw Vanier, Moose Jaw AE Peacock, Estevan, and Weyburn.
The Colts have been placed in a three-team pool with Vanier and Estevan. They will open Saturday's action at 12 p.m. against Estevan and then take on Vanier at 2 p.m.
The top three teams in each pool will advance to the playoffs with the quarter-finals slated for 3:30 p.m., the semi-finals set for 5 p.m. and the championship match scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The Colts advanced to Provincials in Weyburn last season, finishing 3-1 in the round robin before being eliminated by Prince Albert Carlton in the quarter-finals.