While the RVS Divisional Volleyball Championships might not have gone the way Coach Esther Sieben and senior Varsity Girls Cobras volleyball team wanted on Nov. 8, the season is far from over.
Despite having home court advantage and placing first in league standings on the season, the team lost three straight games last Wednesday to the W.H. Croxford Cavaliers.
Coach Sieben gave full credit to the Cavaliers for playing a great match.
“We gave them a bit of a game at certain parts, but they were a bit taller, a bit stronger, and we couldn’t seem to get our passing under control,” she said. “We had some great rallies that would last a long time, but they persevered and they were the true champions … We have been battling it out with them for a few years now; so this has been a great testament to the competition in Rocky View School division.”
Sieben also wanted to thank Rocky View Schools, Cochrane High administrators for their support, and the fans for getting loud and encouraging their hometown teams on.
“We wouldn’t be anywhere without admin support, without parent support, and even the Cochrane community as a whole,” she said. “They came out in full force (on Nov. 8), and it was really nice to hear the chanting and hear the other teams in our school come out and support us.”
Sieben also said her girls took heart and felt a lot of pride in being Cobras as they saw both the Cochrane Junior Girls Varsity team and Junior Boys Varsity team claim first place in their respective divisions, and hoist their league championship banners on Nov. 8.
So what’s next for the Senior Girls Cobras? Sieben said the team will regroup and be ready for South Central Zone 3A provincial qualifying this coming weekend on Nov. 17 and 18.
“A win would have been great, but a loss is okay,” said Seiben. “I am really of the belief that we might have lost, but we learned something … There are 10 teams vying for two provincial berths. So our season isn’t done. We’ve got to pick up our boots here after that loss and regroup and refocus.”
If any of the Cobras teams can finish in the top two spots in Strathmore Zone 3A championships this coming weekend, they will book a ticket to provincial championships, also in Strathmore, on Nov. 23 to Nov. 25.
Volleyball results Nov. 8
RVS Divisional Volleyball Championships
JVG Cobras beat GM Mustangs 3-0 (30-28, 25-20,25-12)
Coaches: Ali Koldnicki, Karen Hasiuk and Jenna Doucette
JVB Cobras beat GM Mustangs 3-0 (25-23,25-20,25-14)
Coaches: Reid Philben and Danelle Oosterveld-Sully
SVG WH Croxford Cavaliers beat Cochrane Cobras 3-0 (25-18,25-21, 25-20)
Coaches: Esther Sieben, Mike Seiben, Reina Voetgtlin
