The highest level of high school volleyball was on display at North Battleford Comprehensive High School for two full days during the 5A boys' provincial championship.
The host team got out of the gates slowly, as they lost to Moose Jaw Central and Meadow Lake in the round robin before winning a must-win game against Regina LeBoldus. The Vikings finished the round robin with a loss against Saskatoon St. Joseph, but made the playoffs with a 1-3 record.
In the quarter-final, Regina Campbell beat NBCHS in two sets and ended the Vikings season and the high school volleyball careers of seniors Mitchell Bristow, Bryce Craig, Isaac Schultz, Michael Elias and Cody Blixrud. Along with five graduating players, the Vikings had Grade 11 Jackson Nyholt, Grade 10 Blake Risling and Grade 9s Nick Odishaw and Cole Simon on the team.
Regina Campbell went on to win in straight sets over P.A. St. Mary in the semis and Moose Jaw Central to earn the gold medal.
The bronze medal was won by P.A. St. Mary, as they beat Meadow Lake.
At the 2A girls' provincial championship in Wakaw and Cudworth, Maymont and Edam met in the quarter-final, which was a rematch of the regional final in which Edam won in three sets. Not this time, Maymont beat Edam in straight sets and played Wolseley in the semifinal. Maymont lost to Wolseley and in the bronze medal match lost in two sets to Ituna.
The McLurg Broncos from Wilkie are 3A boys' west regional champions after winning in straight sets over Minahik Waskahigan in Neilburg. Wilkie beat Lashburn in the regional semifinal while Neilburg was eliminated by Minahik Waskahigan in the other semifinal.
Provincials are this weekend in Maidstone and, along with the top two teams from the west regional playoffs, the schedule includes Kelvington, Langenburg, Rosthern Junior College, Wadena, Saskatoon Christian, Moose Jaw Riverview, Carrot River and Maidstone.
At the 2A boys' level, Edam and Goodsoil were among the six teams playing at regionals in Goodsoil and the two teams from the Northwest along with the host team advanced through the round robin and on to provincials. Edam went 4-0 on the weekend while Paradise Hill finished at 3-1.
2A boys' provincials will take place in Arcola and Carlyle this weekend.
At the 1A boys' level, Medstead will host provincials this weekend and were guaranteed a spot in the provincial schedule, but they also earned their way into the final tournament by winning the north regional playoff in Perdue on the weekend.
Medstead met up with Borden in the championship game and in three sets won 25-23, 20-25, 25-15 thanks in part to the offence provided by Scott Seidle and Carter Hill.
In the bronze medal final, one team would advance to provincials with a regional bronze medal while the other was eliminated. Glaslyn won 27-25, 15-25, 25-21 to punch their ticket to the provincial championship in Medstead.
The other teams competing in Medstead include Rouleau, Nakoda Oyade, Fox Valley, Kincaid, Bellevue, Avonlea and Annaheim. Half of the games will also be played at the co-host school in Spiritwood.
Two other teams from the Northwest had their volleyball seasons come to an end on the weekend. At the 4A boys' level Unity failed to advance out of regionals, which were held in Biggar on the weekend. At the 3A girls' level, St. Walburg failed to make the playoffs at provincials in Outlook, as they went 0-4 in the round robin after losses to LCBI, Rosthern JC, Southey and Watrous.
