Dragons Boys have mixed volleyball success against Nobleford Blades

Senior Dragons versus Coalhurst Blades
C. Davis photos and video

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

St. Michael's Senior and JV Dragons volleyball squads hosted the Nobleford Blades at the Dale Wentz Memorial Gymnasium on the evening of October 24. First up were the Seniors.

The Dragons were apparently firing on all cylinders in the first set of a best-of-five round, winning it 25-15.  The Blades bounced back in a big way in the second set, edging the Dragons 25-22.  The third and fourth sets were even closer, with the Dragons winning the third 25-21 and the Blades reversing that in the fourth, winning it 25-21.  The score was tied multiple times in both of those sets.  In the fifth and final set the Dragons managed to overtake an early lead by the Blades to win it by a score of 15-9, winning the game 3 sets to 2.

The Dragons don't have enough JV members for a complete team, so they forfeited the JV match but played it anyway.  The Dragons definitely had an edge with a couple of powerhouse Seniors on their side, but the Blades had a fire that was apparently unquenchable by anything other than victory. They didn't get it in the first set, which the Dragons took by a score of 25-16.  However, the Blades came back strong in the second set, winning it 25-15.  The third set was the most entertaining of the evening, with both teams battling to a tie repeatedly.  19-19, 21-21, 23-23, 24-24... and the Blades ended up winning the set by a score of 26-24, also winning the already forfeited game.

JV Blades vs Dragons

I was told the Blades haven't had a team for at least the last couple of years.  They do this year, and it's got underdog contender written all over it.  Give them an inch and they'll take the point.  On this night they were the better team.

The Senior Boys Dragons fared better over the weekend, when they played at a tournament at Rally Pointe in Calgary and came in second to West Island College. According to Assistant Coach Wes Bruder they played very well in that tournament, playing six matches for a total of 12 games on Saturday.  "The best I've seen them play all year."  They also defeated Coalhurst in an away game on Monday, October 22.

The Dragons have a week off now before they are scheduled to participate in a Crowsnest Pass Tournament two weekends from now.  They will be hosting Zones on November 16 and 17, with games to be played at St. Michael's and Matthew Halton gyms.