Saints dig deep for bronze

The St. James Regional High girls volleyball team was in Grand Falls-Windsor for the Provincial Under 17 Volleyball Championship on April 16 and 17.

The tournament had been scheduled for February but was rescheduled due to a snowstorm. Twelve teams from across the island faced off in the tournament.

On the first day of the tournament, the Port aux Basques girls played Clarenville, one of the toughest teams on the island. They lost that game 25-13, and 25-18.

A second game against Stephenville wasn't much better, with the girls losing 25-9 and 25-20. A third, close game against Lewisporte had them losing 25-22 and 25-21.

With their backs to the wall, the girls needed a win against Mount Pearl Senior High. They got what they were looking for, winning 25-9 and 25-12.

A really close game with Exploits Valley High followed. They lost the first match 25-22, won the second 25-19, and lost the third 15-12.

That loss took the girls to the tier two bronze medal game against Mount Pearl's O'Donnell High. The Port aux Basques team won it in two matches, 25-19 and 25-20.

Coach Bill Carter said the girls played very well and could have easily competed for the gold in tier two, had the game against Exploits Valley gone in their favour.