The Yorkton Blitz U16 volleyball team hosted the ASICS CUP 2 U16 tournament in Yorkton over the weekend. Tournament coordinator, U16 Blitz coach Bryce Krawetz, reports the event featured 25 teams playing at three venues in the city, including the Gallagher Centre Flexi-hall as well as the Gloria Hayden Community Centre and St. Michaels' and M.C. Knoll School gyms.
The tournament ran very well at both venues with great support from parents, says Krawetz. Visiting teams complimented Yorkton of the Flexihall. "They all said what an amazing building we have here in Yorkton," Krawetz claims.
The U16 Blitz have 11 players on the bench this year, Krawetz reports. An injury to one of the middle players has reduced that number to 10 for this tournament, he notes.
The McSweeney Selects coached by Brent Brown were also competing in the tournament, Krawetz states.
Following round robin play, teams are placed into one of three tournament tiers. Tier 1 includes the top eight teams at the tournament after round robin play. Tier 2 includes all teams that finished in ninth to 16th places. Tier 3 includes all the remaining teams from 17th to 25th place.
The U16 Blitz won a berth in Tier 1 competition.
The U16 Blitz were undefeated in the first round robin competition to finish first in the pool. In the repool the Blitz finished second to remain in Tier 1, Krawetz reports.
In the first game of the playoff round the U16 Blitz downed Prince Albert in two straight games which moved them into the top four, he continues.
Advancing to a game against the QCVC Royals out of Regina, the Blitz won the first game but couldn't nail down the second and third games to advance to the bronze medal match. "We just couldn't hammer down the final nail, I guess," Krawetz says.
The overall effort from the girls has been great, he suggests. "We've had a great season so far. We've finished first in a tournament, second in a tournament and sixth at the first ASICS Cup. This one we finished fourth," Krawetz states.
The U16 Blitz have a little break from competition before heading out to a 24 team tournament in Moose Jaw. The final tournament of the year will be provincials in Saskatoon the last weekend in April.
