East Kootenay Volleyball Club U14 Girls Blue Team is starting the season strong bringing home gold from the 2025 Premier Tournament in Calgary.
“Their reaction when they won that winning point in the gold medal match was really amazing, it was just true joy,” said Brett Reiben, U14 Girls Blue Manager.
“I have to give credit to the two coaches, they prepared the team really well. Even from the start of the training season, they’ve come a long way and that’s a credit to the coaches.”
The team is starting the indoor season off undefeated through all seven tournament matchups.
“They didn’t even lose a set. They swept all of their matches on the way to the gold,” said Reiben.
“It’s a continuation of what they started and built themselves into last season.”
The girls took down teams from Trochu, Taber, Red Deer, Medicine Hat and three teams from Calgary, culminating in a 2 set sweep of the Calgary Canuck Black.
Reiben feels this performance was a good sign for the season to come.
“They’re going up against some clubs, especially some from the greater Calgary area, that are much larger than the size of our club,” said Reiben.
“They know now that they’re able to compete and be successful against these really big clubs.”
Reiben says he is proud of the team’s growth since earning the bronze medal at the provincial tournament last season.
“A lot of them haven’t met each other before and they came together as a team really quickly,” said Reiben.
“They’ve been through one season and now they’re back and they’re very hungry and motivated for success. They’re really displaying that ability to keep growing as a team and individually.”
The team, comprised of players from Cranbrook and Kimberley, will be back at the second Premier Tournament in March in Calgary.
Reiben says they hope to keep the momentum going.
“Their goal this year is a spot at the national tournament, which is new at the U14 level,” said Reiben.
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