The Caronport Cougars won a lot of hardware this volleyball season, but they came up just short of also claiming a banner.
After winning the Moose Jaw senior girls city title a week earlier, the Cougars had to settle for silver medals at SHSAA 4A girls provincials in Regina.
The Cougars lost 2-0 (25-22, 25-22) to the defending provincial champions from Oxbow.
“We didn’t get the banner, but we got pretty close,” said Cougars head coach Shannon Koshman.
“They fought hard. I am so proud of the way they played. They really left their hearts on the court. It was a pretty emotional ending because it was my last year coaching them too. They played their hearts out and it was just fun to be a part of it.”
A year ago the Cougars finished fourth after losing to Oxbow in the semifinals in three games. Last year they were the only team to take a game off of them.
“Oxbow is a very talented team,” said Koshman. “It was such a battle. There were so many crazy plays — big digs, big hits, big blocks.
“The fans were amazing. There were a lot of Oxbow fans out too. It was a very lively environment. It was a really good final.”
It was a good battle just to reach the final. The Cougars finished their pool play unbeaten — including a 25-21, 29-27 win over Oxbow — to advance as the top seed. In the quarter-finals they beat Nipawin 2-0 (25-18, 25-15) and then in the semis had a great battle with Macklin that ended in a 2-1 (19-25, 25-17, 25-20) Cougars win.
In pool play, the Cougars beat Outlook 2-0 (25-20, 25-21), Melville 2-0 (25-14, 25-10) and Lanigan 2-0 (25-15, 30-28), but it was the win over Oxbow was good for the Cougars confidence.
Assiniboia went unbeaten in their pool before losing to Outlook 2-1 (13-25, 25-21, 25-17) in the quarter-finals.
Assiniboia beat Macklin 2-0 (25-17, 25-21), Yorkton Sacred Heart 2-1 (25-13, 17-25, 25-13), Nipawin 2-0 (25-21 and 25-18) and Regina Christian 2-0 (25-20, 25-18) in pool play.
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At the 4A boys West Regional in Assiniboia, Caronport advanced to provincials with a 25-19, 25-21 win over Lumsden. Shaunavon was the other team to advance to provincials when they beat Assiniboia 25-20, 25-14.
Caronport claimed the regional title with a 28-26, 25-23 win over Shaunavon.
