Less than a month before they host the Saskatchewan high school girls’ 5A volleyball provincials, the Lloydminster Comprehensive Barons did a dry run of sorts last weekend and won their home tournament.
In an entertaining LCHS Baron Blast final Saturday, the host team came from behind to defeat the Swift Current Ardens, one of the teams expected to be back in Lloydminster for the Nov. 14-15 provincials.
Swift Current won the first set 27-25, before Lloyd Comp regrouped to win 25-22 and 15-7 and clinch its third tournament championship this season.
“I thought the girls played really well,” said Barons coach Ky Desaulniers.
“The difference with this team is that they’re super-consistent all the time. So, they kind of play to their level at all times, and it pays off in the tournaments.”
In five tournament appearances this season, Lloyd Comp’s golden hat trick has included championship performances at North Battleford and Prince Albert’s St. Mary.
The Barons’ success is that much more of an achievement, considering the team’s roster includes just two Grade 12 students, Torren Wood and Chloe Minish.
“We’re actually a fairly young team,” said Desaulniers, in her fourth year as the Lloyd Comp head coach.
“We have lots of Grade 11s, and some 10s, and only two seniors this year, so I guess that would be called a younger team.”
Even within that framework, the Barons’ goals for the next month remain lofty. They’re enthused about not only hosting provincials, but also competing for a championship.
“We’re really excited to have the best teams in Saskatchewan come out, and I think that we’ll have a pretty strong performance there as well,” Desaulniers said.
“Swift Current is definitely one of those teams (likely bound for provincials).”
Although the Barons gain an automatic berth in the 10-team provincials as host of the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA) championship, they’ll still compete in regionals the previous weekend (Nov. 7-8) at Prince Albert, with the Carlton Crusaders as hosts.
“We’re still looking to win that, too, if we can,” said the LCHS coach.
In winning the Blast tournament on their home court, the Barons turned the table on Swift Current after losing to the Ardens in round-robin play.
“They beat us in two sets then, so it was exciting that we were able to battle back in our final to win,” Desaulniers replayed.
Lloyd Comp was well-represented in the Blast tournament. Along with the senior Barons, the school’s two junior varsity teams were also in the mix.
In other words, a lot of girls are playing volleyball at the Comp.
“Yes, it’s super-big right now,” the senior coach said. “We have a Grade 9 team, as well. They just weren’t there (on the weekend).
“We have four girls’ teams going this year. It’s a strong program right now.”
Along with Desaulniers, the senior Barons’ coaching staff includes assistants Chelsea Stewart and Doug Smith, formerly the long-serving coach of the LCHS senior boys’ team.
The Barons swing right back into action this weekend as the Holy Rosary Raiders host their senior tournament Friday and Saturday in Lloydminster (at Holy Rosary and St. Thomas).
In early October, the Barons’ senior boys’ team won its version of the Blast tournament at home. It was also the third tourney title this season for the LCHS boys, who captured the bronze medal in a Prince Albert event this past weekend.
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