The Caronport High School Senior Girls’ Volleyball Team can’t wait to show off their skill, their school, and their campus as, for the first time in CHS history, they host the 4A Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association provincial championships from November 14-15. They know they’ll have the home-court advantage, and they’ve got their sights set on a medal.

The team won’t be fully formed until September, but several solid senior players will be returning to play their final year of CHS volleyball—Shayla Durksen, Kendi Dyck, Lauren Haffner, Mikaela Nelson, Brooke Olmstead, and Courtney Wiebe. "I’m really looking forward to this volleyball season already, and I am excited to be part of provincials," said Durksen. "I’m not too sure how our team will be this coming year because we did lose some key players…but I believe that if our team comes together, works hard, and gives everything, then…we have a shot [at a medal]."

Wes Olmstead, their coach of the last two years, agrees. "The girls compete in the Moose Jaw High School League, which serves as outstanding preparation for provincial playoffs," he said. "We do have a nice core of girls returning, but we’re also hoping that three our four students new to CHS in the fall will bring some skill and experience that will help us contend for the provincial title."

The Senior Girls’ Volleyball team has a history of doing exceptionally well in their league. They’ve never taken home a provincial medal, but this will be the third time in four years they’ve competed at the provincial tournament, and they won the sportsmanship award in 2006, which, according to Jeanette Olney, the team’s coach for that year, "was the most exciting of all."

They’re especially looking forward to the experience of competing for a provincial title at home. Not only do they have the advantage of being familiar with the size of the court and the rafters on the gymnasium ceiling, but they also know what a difference it will make to have friends and family cheer them on.

For Kendi Dyck, though, it’s about more than playing in the tournament. "To host provincials is a privilege because then more people will know about Caronport, and we can show God through our actions," she said. "We are going to play our hardest as a team, hopefully have good sportsmanship, and represent God and our school well."