St. Mary's Bay Academy Stingray senior girls’ volleyball team has made it two in a row, winning the Division 4 Regional championship at Drumlin Heights on Nov. 19.
SMBA, North Queens, Drumlin Heights and École Rose-des-Vents competed in a round robin tournament for the as each team vied for the Regional championship.
SMBA lost out to École Rose-des-Vents 2-1 in their first game but defeated both North Queens and Drumlin Heights 2-0 to advance to the championship game.
Coach Steve Atkins said the final game played against École Rose-des-Vents was a really tight match.
“The girls won the first set but lost the second to force the tie breaker,” Atkins said. “The final set was very close but the girls edged out their opponents 15-11 to claim the banner.”
Atkins felt his team of eight girls played their best games at Regionals.
It was the best volleyball the girls have ever played and we were all very excited over claiming the banner. - Coach Steve Atkins
“It was the best volleyball the girls have ever played and we were all very excited over claiming the banner,” he said. “We were a little slow in the first set of the day but once we got going it was a totally different team on the floor.”
The coach said several of the Stingray team members received the benefit of having played on the Under-16 and U-18 club volleyball teams last year.
“This additional experience enhanced their level of play and the girls took their games more seriously this season, more of a team effort.”
The senior Stingrays victory as Regional champions last year was a first in the school’s history, and the school then hosted the provincial championships.
The Stingrays now compete in Division 4 Provincial championships at Cape Breton Highlands Academy in Margaree Harbour Friday and Saturday.
