By Kathy Gallant

M.L.’s newest club volleyball team aiming high

Feb 15, 2018 | 11:00 AM

The Meadow Lake Heat volleyball club has become popular over the last few years, and members of its newest team, a 16U female squad, are setting their goals high for this year.

This team joins up with five other male and female teams in the club. The club-style allows the athletes to play beyond their school season, which typically ends in December each year. The team was formed after parents and the teens expressed an interest, did the groundwork to recruit a coach and fundraised for gear and uniforms. Many of the current players on this team were on the 15U squad over the last couple years.

They’ve played three tournaments thus far, and head to their next tournament in Lloydminster on Feb. 23. For being a new team, they’re currently sitting in 12th place out of 30 teams in their class in the province.

Tori Wood said she appreciates the difference between club and school volleyball, and the chance to refine skills further.

“You’re not just playing in your district,” she said. “You’re playing teams around the province, so it’s a lot more competitive and you get a lot more experience.”

Missing person

Spiritwood RCMP searching for missing woman

1h ago

Riding boundaries changing

MP Gary Vidal announces he won't seek re-election

19h ago

Fire Risk

Meadow Lake under fire risk warning

20h ago

Most of the players are from Meadow Lake, but one player, Willow Davis, travels in from Loon Lake to practice.

“It’s a commitment,” she said. “I travel three times a week, but it’s all worth it.”

The team’s coach, Dustin Treptow said he was happy to get involved with this new team this year. He coached high school and club volleyball in the past, and played at the university level as an athlete.

“It’s just a way to give back to the sport and community,” he said. “Hopefully getting these girls going in the right direction.”

He said the team is really responsive to coaching and said the team has gelled well as a unit and have strong communication.

“They’re playing the right way to play at a tier one level, which is the most important thing,” he said. “We’re building, and we’re shooting for provincials to get into the top eight teams, which would put us in the tier one level. It would be a big step up.”

Brianna Labrash said she appreciates Treptow’s leadership, and the team has grown a lot in a short time.

“I’ve learned so much this year, and it’s only been a couple months,” she said. “I’m really excited to move further on.”

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca  

On Twitter @ReporterKath