Some smiles and teamwork are leading to some good things for a Black Diamond volleyball team.
The Oilfields Drillers are starting to hit their stride after a strong showing at their tournament earlier this month followed by their 3-0 sweep of the Notre Dame Collegiate Timberwolves on Oct. 5 in High River.
“We are playing the best we ever have this season,” said Ashlynn Matthews, the Drillers middle and captain. “The team is really starting to gel - we get along really well on and off the court.”
Oilfields was second in its pool at its tournament on Oct. 7-8, before being knocked out of the playoffs.
The Drillers’ closeness was more than evident in the victory over the hard-working ‘Wolves. There was plenty of laughter and high-fives even for the hug-happy world of girls high school volleyball.
“It was awesome, we all had a lot of fun and were laughing,” said Drillers setter Elizabeth Harder. “We play better when we are enjoying ourselves.”
Matthews said the team was covering the floor much better than they have in the past.
The Grade 12 Harder is steadily improving as setter, after making the transition from power for the Drillers last season.
Matthews was blocking shots, stuffing balls and covering the middle of the floor in this her first year at middle.
“I play club for Okotoks Peak and this is the first time in maybe two or three years that I have played middle,” Matthews said.
The victory was the Drillers’ first in Foothills Athletic Council, improving their record to 1-3.
Oilfields Drillers coach Tim Hasiuk said the team continues to improve in this his first year with the squad.
“I came here and the ladies definitely had a lot of potential,” Hasiuk said. “We are just seeing that growth coming to fruition now. They have impressed me with their growth and the way they have come together.”
He said the team has a diversity of ages on the court, which bodes well for the future.
“We do have Grade 10s that are a large component of the team,” Hasiuk said. “We have a lot of talent that is coming down the pipe that will be with the team for two more years.”
The future is now.
The Grade 10 students are contributing to the team this season. They are Brielle Goss, Tarran Klopp and Kayle Leis.
Hasiuk went Bill-Belichick-like when asked to predict the team’s future in regards to wins and losses -- only willing to say his team will continue to improve on the court.
“When they love what they are doing, they end up getting better and playing well,” he said.
The Drillers will have to get through regionals at Notre Dame Collegiate Nov. 18-19 in order to qualify for zones.
“I never like to count my chickens, but we have a good chance,” he said.
The Timberwolves are a hard-working squad, getting its lead from coach Jeff Roman, a former volleyball and basketball player with the Holy Trinity Academy Knights.
Roman is following in his mother’s footsteps, Terri, as a physical education teacher with Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools.
In other Foothills Athletic Council girls volleyball action, last week the Foothills Falcons opened league play with a convincing 3-0 sweep of the County Central Hawks in Vulcan.
They will travel to Black Diamond to play the Drillers on Oct. 12.
The Strathcona-Tweedsmuir Spartans improved to 2-1 by downing the Highwood Mustangs 3-1 in High River Oct. 5.
The Spartans are hosting the Western Canadian Independent School Volleyball Championships, Oct. 12-15.
For information about the Foothills Athletic Council go to teampages.com/leagues/5416
