Photo by Marcel Vander Wier
FOUR IN A ROW – Members of the Hidden Valley Huskies girls volleyball team pose with the championship banner.
Photo by Marcel Vander Wier
FOUR IN A ROW – Members of the Hidden Valley Huskies girls volleyball team pose with the championship banner.
Against all odds, the Hidden Valley Huskies' elementary volleyball dynasty continued Saturday,
Against all odds, the Hidden Valley Huskies' elementary volleyball dynasty continued Saturday, when the girls team won their fourth straight title at Porter Creek Secondary School.
For the first time in school history, the Huskies scored double gold, with the boys volleyball team winning their title as well.
The girls win came with an assist to Holy Family Elementary School, who provided two players to Hidden Vally's roster so the school could actually field a team.
Last year's championship title was perceived to be the end of the dynasty, as the school only had four players eligible to return.
But Paige Poelman and Sonjaa Schmidt saved the day, joining Emiko Teramura, Iliana Stehelin, Elese Duncan and Sarah Fortin to form Hidden Valley's latest championship team.
Hidden Valley beat Christ the King Elementary School's Wolverines 25-20 and 25-17 Saturday afternoon to win gold.
More impressively, the girls did not lose a match throughout the Yukon Schools' Athletic Association championship.
"I'm not really surprised,” said Colin Teramura, who shared coaching duties with Heather Boardman.
"We had a very talented, dedicated team and they've won before. They have the talent, but they just needed a bit of guidance to unlock it. We're pretty proud.”
Meanwhile, the Huskies boys beat the Jack Hulland Hawks 26-24 and 25-15 in their final to win their first crown since 2007.
Overcoming nerves to win the first set by two points was key in the championship win, said Huskies head coach Peter Harms.
"That messes with their minds,” Harms said of the runner-up Hawks.
The coach explained hard work was key to the success of his team.
"My guys weren't used to losing, so many times I would mess them up in the gym and put them at a disadvantage just so they lose,” Harms said of his tactics.
"Then I would say ‘Quit your whining. Work harder.' So learning to lose is super important. They weren't allowed to say ‘Can we go play in the gym?' I trained them to say ‘Can we go work in the gym?' And they worked hard ... it was pretty neat.”
Harms said knowing how much work goes into a championship march made him even more proud of his young squad.
"First time in I believe six years since we've had a gold,” he said.
"They've been competitive, but you only get the banner for the gold.
"They were hot through the whole season, but you can't walk on that. You have to keep them wound up ... I know how much work goes into it, and they worked terribly hard.”
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