O'Leary High School – The heat is on the Paul Kane Blues to repeat as premier volleyball champions.
"There is a little bit of pressure on us but it also makes us play a lot harder," said Hailey Lutz, a Grade 12 setter, after the Blues blasted the O'Leary Spartans in three sets Wednesday.
"Ever since we won cities we're the team to beat so everyone is pushing to beat us," Lutz said.
Last year the Blues finished 13-9 overall in league play, playoffs, zones and the 4A provincials. They also celebrated the first metro Edmonton premier women's volleyball championship in school history.
"Our goal is definitely to do the same things as last year," said Lutz, who is among five returning Blues from last year's eighth-place 2-5 showing at provincials. "Our ultimate goal is cities but getting to provincials would be the cherry on top."
In the 4A pre-season rankings the Blues are listed seventh in the province as the fourth-highest Edmonton zone team. The sixth-ranked Bev Facey Falcons and the Blues are the only metro teams to crack the top 10.
The 3A-calibre Holy Trinity Trojans – premier finalists last year after winning the 2009 title – is another team to fear in the metro ranks.
"The league is going to be stronger this year. It's going to be a dogfight," said head coach Stan Andronyk. "We're going to have to work hard to have success and the players know that."
Revamped roster
Seven new players cracked the roster, including Emma Cunningham in Grade 10.
"We've got some good quality players," Andronyk said. "Our returning players have all been there before and they know what it takes to win."
Grade 12 captain Whitney Follette, a massive middle with a wingspan that covers the length of the net, is their brightest star.
"She is a great player. She plays well all the time for us. She is big in the middle," Andronyk said.
Another Grade 12 veteran with power is Maddi Aguis. She gives the Blues a lethal one-two punch at the net with the heavily-recruited Follette.
"They're awesome because you know as soon as you set it to them they're definitely going to get it over the net and finish the play," Lutz said.
Andronyk said the Blues have to play a well-rounded game if they are to duplicate last year's accomplishments.
"Our attack will still be quite strong but we're going to focus more on the passing and defence and try and set it up from the back end," he said.
Season underway
This year's edition of Blues made its debut last weekend at the University of Alberta pre-season tournament. They placed ninth with three wins and two losses.
"The tournament was good for us. The players were learning the system and just learning how to work together so the result wasn't our main focus," Andronyk said. "Our first playoff game Saturday morning was against Scona and they were third in provincials last year. They brought everyone back so they're in midseason form. We weren't quite ready for them yet but that's what the kids needed to see."
Lutz, 17, was encouraged by the team's performance.
"It was better than last year," she said. "It gave us a bit of confidence coming into this game."
The Blues needed less than an hour to sweep the over-matched Spartans 25-9, 25-10, 25-15.
"It's always great to start off the season with a win," Lutz said. "This is our first real big game because we didn't have an exhibition game. Everyone was kind of shaky but we did really well."
Mackenzie Bender racked up a ton of points in all three sets while serving the ball with authority. Up front, Follette spearheaded the attack before sitting out the third set, as Andronyk emptied the bench with the outcome a done deal.
"We have some really great talent this year. All the girls coming up are so skilled," said Lutz.
The sure-handed setter is one of the few players remaining from Paul Kane's seventh-place 4-3 result at the 2009 provincials while finishing 18-4 overall. The Blues were also undefeated in 12 matches in metro that year until the Trojans swept them in the semifinals.
Revenge was sweet for the Blues in the 2010 premier final, as they knocked off the Trojans 25-11, 25-20, 17-25, 29-31, 15-7 in dramatic fashion.
"That was quite a day," said Andronyk, who joined the Blues as an assistant coach in 2008 when the team reached the premier final. "We've had some success here and we're looking forward to another good year. It should be fun."
In tournament action, the two-time defending Lions Western Canadian Challenge champions are not going for a three-peat this year.
"We got some invites to some great tournaments and the way the schedule worked out we had to back out of the Western Canadian Challenge," Andronyk said.
The Blues have six tournaments on tap, including the prestigious Titan Volleyball Tournament at Harry Ainlay, plus major competitions hosted by the Spruce Grove Panthers and Notre Dame of Red Deer.
Last year in five tournaments, the Blues won three and finished second once.
"Because of our success the last few seasons we've had some opportunities to get into some really strong tournaments," Andronyk said.
The home opener for the Blues is Monday against the Ardrossan Bisons at 4:45 p.m.
