The annual Yorkton Elementary School Sports Association (YESSA) volleyball championships concluded with three champions emerging after two days of playoff competition. YESSA president Mark Schendel reports that 25 teams from nine schools competed for the title Tuesday and Wednesday.
One of the ultimate goals of the participating school divisions is to showcase the talents of young people. "Once again, this volleyball tournament certainly achieved that," Shendel remarks.
He appreciates the involvement of host schools, extending his thanks to Darren Teneycke and his staff at Columbia School, Shaune Beatty and staff at Yorkdale Central School, Mr. Malayney and staff at St. Michael's School and, of course, the coaches and staff at M.C. Knoll School for hosting tournament play. Additionally, Schendel thanks Darren Spelay and the staff at the Gloria Hayden Community Centre for providing the gym for the tournament.
Schendel claims that all the health journals and articles expressing concerns about children's activity levels don't apply to the Good Spirit School Division nor the Christ the Teacher School Division. The proof of that is that the annual volleyball playoffs had over 300 young athletes participating in the tournament, by far and away the largest number entered in the annual event, he states.
In the past, eight schools were involved, each sending a boys' representative team and a girls' team, Schendel says. This Year Saltcoats School entered a team to increase the number of participating schools to nine. As well there were 25 teams competing this year which is remarkable, he declares.
This year M.C. Knoll School for example had four teams entered, a boys' team and three girls' teams. Because of the huge increase in girl's participation, YESSA tournament organizers had to create two girls' divisions, a diggers division and a spikers division this year, he points out.
Looking ahead to next year, Schendel predicts there may also be two divisions for boys next year as well.
A highlight for Schendel is the growth exhibited by the young volleyball athletes throughout the season. He credits both coaches and students with the skill development.
He appreciates all the families and supporters who turned out to take in the tournament and encourage their youngsters. "It was amazing to see so many family supporters in the building for the two days," Schendel says.
He acknowledges to time and efforts of the coaches who put in countless hours before school, after school and during holidays preparing the athletes. "Everybody notices that and appreciates it," he asserts.
The efforts of the athletes should also be recognized, Schendel adds.
In the girls' spikers division the seven teams played a modified round robin with each team playing four matches over two days. The top two teams, both from M.C. Knoll squared off in the tournament final with the Triple Threat claiming the title.
In the boys' division the two perennial rivals, M.C. Knoll and St. Michael's met in the tournament final, with the M.C Knoll Knights winning the 2011 championship.
Probably the best matches of the day took place at Yorkdale Central School where the girls' digger division championship final was played, Schendel reports. "The final scores in the sets were 25-23, 26-24 which is just amazing," he notes. He congratulates coach Shaune Beatty and the Yorkdale Royals Gold Team on winning the 2011 girls' diggers division title.
