The Sabres girls’ soccer team is showing continuous improvement and it was evident in their first game last week versus olds.
    The Sabres have been practicing hard and scrimmaging, but their first challenge of the season came on Wednesday, September 21, when they hosted Olds. Outnumbered 19-10 on the bench, the Sabres played with their hearts to a 1-1 tie.
    “We did really well,” said coach Gavin Makse, explaining that Olds was able to sub every few minutes, keeping fresh legs on the field. “What was really working is having the exhibition games versus the adults. In the second half we were pretty even with them conditioning wise.”
He said the team played well, they were efficient with passing, keeping the ball on the ground and maintaining control. Carmanah Olbrich scored the lone goal for the Sabres.
    “It was good challenge for our team,” said Makse.
    While this was the Sabres’ first game, he said Olds has already played Carstairs to a tie, another strong team.
    “That is encouraging for us because Olds are going to be at zones,” he said, adding that with the new format for the zone tournament, it gives the team something to play for.
    This Friday, the Sabres are hosting their seventh annual tournament, inviting Strathmore, Olds and Notre Dame Collegiate for round robin play. The Sabres first hit the field at 9 a.m. versus Strathmore.

    Drumheller Valley Secondary School’s own girl’s volleyball team, the senior Dynos won silver in a Calgary tournament last weekend.
    On Friday, September 23 the Dynos played Calgary’s Rundle Academy winning 25-9 in the first set and 25-11 in the second.  Later that evening they played Ecole De La Rose Sauvage just barely lost the games 25-21 and 25-20.  
    Saturday’s crossover match against Matthew Halton High from Pincher Creek ended in  wins, 25-15 and 25-18, and secured the Dynos a spot in the semifinals. This was the Dynos first time in a semifinal match.         They won against Crossfield in the first two sets of the semifinals boosting them into the gold medal match.
    In the final match, the Dynos battled it out again with Ecole De La Rose Sauvage for the gold. They fought hard and lost 25-22 in the first set and 25-12 in the second set.
    Dyno’s head coach Erica Crocker said, “This weekend showed strong serving from every player.  The girls were hungry for the ball with their aggression at the net but the biggest things last weekend was their camaraderie.  I hope that this energy can roll through the rest of the season because we have a lot of talent this year.”
    The team was lead by team captains Nikki Thomson and Makenna Lutz.  “This leadership was incredible this last weekend.  They were able to keep the team focused and positive.” Crocker said.  
    Lutz said, “The best thing about the weekend was bonding with these girls.  Everyone has meshed so well together.  Everyone tried their hardest at the tournament and had fun with it.”
    Captains Lutz and Thomson have been on the same team for the last three years and this was their first medal they had ever won.  
    “It’s nice to have a team where everyone has the same focus,” Lutz said.
    The Dynos play their first home game Wednesday, September 28 at 5 p.m. against Acme.