Volleyball players win bronze on home court
Three Swift Current volleyball players were amongst the main attractions during the second half of the Western Canada Summer Games in Swift Current.
Abby Sauder, Avery Tonnies, and Shaye Wall all made significant contributions as both the women’s and men’s volleyball teams won bronze during the five-day tournament.
Sauder and Tonnies suited up for the women’s team as they placed second in the round robin with a 3-2 match record. They dropped the semi-final to Manitoba (18-25, 25-20, 15-25, 15-25) on Saturday, before defeating the Northwest Territories on Sunday (25-17, 2522, 25-22) to claim bronze.
Wall and the men’s team also placed third with a 3-2 record in the round robin. They also fell to Manitoba in four sets (26-28, 25-18, 21-25, 22-25) in the semi-final before defeating Yukon Territory (25-18, 25-20, 25-21) in the bronze medal match on Sunday morning.
“It feels really good to end the season with a win. We came out strong and beat them in three straight, but they were really strong too,” said Wall, 15. “We played really well at the start and we had a couple rough spots. But after that we kept on playing hard and we ended up getting the bronze.”
Wall played an increased role as the tournament progressed and thrilled the hometown crowd at the Innovation Credit Union iplex with some thunderous kills.
“I feel like it went pretty good. The setters were setting good balls and the passing was really good, so it was easy to swing.”
With three locals in action, night match times, and plenty of seating, the volleyball venue was one of the highest attended venues of the Games.
“It was really fun. Everyone in the crowd I knew and they cheered really loud, so it was really fun to play,” said Wall.
He will enter his second season with the Senior Colts this season.
“I am really excited to play school volleyball with all my friends on my team. I think it’s going to be a good year.”
The Colts won silver at 5A Provincials last year, gold the year before, and bronze in 2016.
“I think we’re going to do really well again and we are trying to medal,” said Wall.