Neelin girls set for AAA provincials

The Neelin Spartans have been in this exact position before.

Two years ago, it worked out well for them. The Spartans start AAA varsity girls’ volleyball provincials today in Winnipeg in the top power pool, meaning they’re three wins away from a title regardless of how today’s trio of matches goes.

“I’m very excited. I think it’s going to be a good weekend. The teams in our pool are going to make for a tough weekend, but if we play as good as we can, I think we have a pretty good chance,” said senior opposite Layla Desjardin.

“The first day doesn’t really matter, but those are the teams you’re most likely going to play if you make it past the quarters.”

Sure enough, Neelin went 0-3 in pool play at JV provincials two years ago, but survived a close three-set quarterfinal, then won two more matches 2-1, defeating the W.C. Miller Aces in the gold-medal match.

Desjardin and Elli Pomehichuk were named all-stars, while setter Dana Linov earned MVP honours.

This year, they open the tournament against the top-ranked Westgate Wings at 10 a.m., then take on the Stonewall Rams at 1:30 p.m., and the Aces at 2:40 p.m., with all three games taking place at Balmoral Hall.

It’s the same four teams that made up last year’s top pool and final four when the Spartans lost 2-0 to the Wings in the semifinals, then fell 2-1 to the Aces in the bronze-medal match.

Neelin started this year strong with a tournament victory at Calvin Christian in September but missed the A-side of its next two events at Selkirk and Vincent Massey’s Viking Classic.

The Spartans settled for third at Virden’s tourney on Oct. 18, then bowed out to the Aces in the semifinals of their home Spartan Dig.

Neelin swept Neepawa and Virden in their interzone qualifier two weeks ago.

Desjardin hopes the team has it all figured out now.

“We have a very good team connection. We have a lot of fun on the court, a lot of laughs … everyone just works well together,” Desjardin said, adding Neelin’s success depends on the entire team.

“Everyone’s pretty much contributed. Katey (Ward), she’s a really big middle, she contributes to a lot of our blocks.

“Chuk (Pomehichuk), she’s really good, she scores a lot of the time and doesn’t make a lot of errors. Our outsides (Izzy Didych and Ashley Henwood) are both very good passers and put the ball in the court.”

The Neelin boys are at Southeast Collegiate today, also in the top power pool. They play Louis-Riel at 10:10 a.m., then Garden Valley at 11:20 a.m., and Linden Christian at 1:40 p.m.

Brandon University’s Henry Champ Gymnasium is home to the A boys and girls provincials today through Saturday, hosted by the Rivers Rams.

A few matches will take place on the Healthy Living Centre South court before setup for the BU Bobcats volleyball matches on Friday.

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