Their 7 season provincial gold dynasty was broken as the Standard Rams senior volleyball team took bronze at the 1A provincial volleyball championship late November.
Facing an “extremely strong team” in Acme at the South Central zones in Olds a few weeks ago, the team won finals and were birthed into the provincial tournament in Bassano.
“It was lucky that we pulled zones off, and went on to play even better at provincials,” said Moncks.
Zones happened November 19 and 20, and provincials on November 25, 26, and 27.
The girls had a record of 3 wins and 1 loss in their pool play at the championship, putting them in third place.
In the playoffs, they were able to defeat Clearwater to advance to the semi-final against Taber.
Taber was able to edge out the Rams by a 29-27 score in their first playoff round, after Standard fought back a deficit to tie it at 24.
The second game was point for point throughout the match, but unfortunately Taber outlasted the Rams and won the match, moving onto finals and putting Standard into the bronze medal game.
“They definitely came out with all their guns firing,” said Moncks, adding it was a good team to lose to.
Standard defeated H.A. Kostash out of Smoky Lake in their final match, winning both matches.
Moncks attributes their 8 consecutive provincial showings to skill development being started early, club play outside the program.
“Our club program has helped bring a few strong players to our program,” said Moncks.
Five Grade 12s will be leaving this year, three of them being starter players.
“It’ll be a tough loss to have them gone,” said Moncks, but she says a few prospective players have signed up to play next season.
“It was lucky that we pulled zones off, and went on to play even better at provincials,” said Moncks.