The size of the school may be small, but the heart and pride in the players in huge.
Borden competed in the 1A boys' provincial volleyball championship on the weekend in Broadview and Whitewood and came away with a silver medal.
Borden started the weekend with an intense game against Bellevue St. Isidore and went to three sets. Borden won the first set 26-24, then were beat 25-16 before recovering in the third set and earning the 25-23 win.
Later Friday, Borden faced Kincaid and the first set was close again, as Kincaid tied the set 24-24 before Borden scored the final two points. In the second set Borden pulled away early and won 25-15.
In their third round robin game Friday, Borden earned the 25-15, 25-17 win over Vanguard.
Saturday morning, Borden lost their first match in straight sets to Manor by 25-23, 25-23 scores.
Despite the loss, Borden was one of the eight teams through to the playoff round. In the quarter-final, Borden faced Medstead and nearly everyone on Borden's side of the net was smashing the ball down. Borden advanced with 25-13, 25-23 scores.
Medstead was eliminated after going 1-3 in the round robin. Their lone win came against the host Broadview team.
In the semifinal, Borden handled Mossbank easily with 25-12, 25-16 scores to advance to the gold medal game.
The final was a rematch between Borden and Bellevue St. Isidore, who had the same record as Borden after the round robin pool. In the first set it was an intense battle like the first time the teams met. Bellevue earned the first set victory 25-21 and gained the upper hand.
The second set it was more of the same, with strong hits, good defence and good blocking. This time Borden prevailed 25-20.
It all came down to one set for the gold medal. The teams were neck and neck all the way. Bellevue eventually won 25-23 in an exciting match. Borden settled for the silver medal.
At the 2A boys' provincials in Muenster, Paradise Hill moved through their pool with a 3-1 record after beating Muenster and Arcola in straight sets, Hepburn in three sets and losing to Leader in straight sets. In the other pool, Maymont beat Pierceland and Cupar, but lost to Waldheim and Cabri to finish at 2-2.
In the playoff round, Paradise Hill and Maymont faced off in the quarter-final and twice Paradise Hill won 26-24 to move to the semifinal while Maymont's season was over.
Paradise Hill lost in straight sets to Cabri in the semifinal and dropped to the bronze medal game. Paradise Hill was able to recover from the lost and beat Leader in two sets two earn the bronze.
Neilburg represented the Northwest at the boys' 3A provincial championship in Carnduff and went 2-2 in the round robin. Neilburg beat Redvers and Carnduff in straight sets, but lost in three sets to Saskatoon Christian and straight sets to Kinistino.
In the quarter-final, although the Neilburg Trojans lost in straight sets, the match was much closer than the scores show. After several good hits and defence Neilburg lost the first set 29-27 to Rosthern. That momentum helped them to a 25-12 second set win to eliminate the Trojans.
In Wilkie, the Broncs hosted the 4A boys' championship. Wilkie beat Nipawin Friday afternoon, but lost to Yorkton Sacred Heart and Caronport later Friday in round robin play.
Saturday morning, Wilkie got back on the winning track, as they beat Meadow Lake Jonas Samson to take third spot in the pool and move to the quarter-finals.
In the playoffs, Rossignol was just too much for Wilkie, as the host team lost 25-22, 25-17.
Last weekend marked the end of the 2011 volleyball season and it was a strong showing by the Northwest, as nearly every category was represented by at least one team at provincials. There is no denying volleyball is strong and successful in the area.
