The Morinville Lady Wolves served up their first trip to the 3A provincial volleyball championship since 2002 in the North Central zone final Saturday.
The Wolves swept the R.F. Staples Thunderbirds of Westlock 25-17, 25-16 at Morinville Community High School.
The Wolves swept all five best-of-three matches at zones as the No. 1 ranked team in the competition.
It was also the seventh tournament of the year for the Wolves, winners of three and second-place finishers four times, including the 20th annual Lions Western Canadian Challenge.
Provincials start Thursday in Cochrane and the pool B Wolves are ranked seventh in the 12-team draw.
The Wolves’ lineup features five returning players, including three Grade 12s, six Grade 11s and one Grade 10 player.
Visit www.stalbertgazette.com to view the team picture.
The Morinville Wolves placed second at the North Central zone tournament in Athabasca for a wild card berth at the 3A provincial men’s volleyball championship.
The Wolves finished 4-2 and both losses were against the Barrhead Gryphons.
In Saturday’s final the Wolves lost 16-25, 18-25 to Barrhead, winners of the 20th annual Lions Western Canadian Challenge.
Earlier in the season the Wolves reached the final at the Salisbury Sabres’ tournament in Sherwood Park.
The 12-team provincials start Thursday in Fort McMurray.
The last provincial appearance for the Wolves was 2007 when they placed 10th overall.
The St. Albert Skyhawks and Sturgeon Spirits fell short of spiking the ball at provincials in Saturday’s 3A metro Edmonton zone playoffs in men’s volleyball.
With a trip to provincials on the line the Skyhawks lost a three-set semifinal decision to the Strathcona Christian Academy Eagles at Edmonton Christian High School.
In the opening playoff round the Skyhawks swept the Sturgeon 2-0.
The Skyhawks finished 2-3 (6 GW/7 GL) and Sturgeon was 2-2 (4 GW/6 GL).
The Skyhawks were ranked fifth and Sturgeon was eighth in the eight-team draw.
In the metro Edmonton league the Skyhawks (5-4, 18 GW/14 GL) and Sturgeon (4-5, 16 GW/15 GL) competed in division two.
The Eagles, undefeated as the division two champions, and Edmonton Christian Lions will represent the Edmonton zone at provincials in Fort McMurray.
