They did not wait long to pack the house and it took less than four full days of classes.
In a month or so from now, both teams of these teams have got a re-match lined up just down the street.
The Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association (SHSAA) season kicked off locally on Friday afternoon with a meeting of the two senior girls volleyball teams in a full-court game.
According to Lee Poncelet, coach of the YRHS team, this was another one of those days when the gym was jam-packed.
"Moreso they like having 800 people watching. Some girls were jacked up for this."
The Yorkton Regional High School Lady Raiders hosted the Lady Saints of Sacred Heart on one big floor. "It was good. Very high energy and both teams were nervous."
"Our girls were excited but nervous (too)," added Perry Enns, coach of the Saints team and suggested that "some players enjoy the pressure" that comes when everyone watching.
The tournament started the season for both schools, less than a full week into the calendar.
Neither team had time for any practices or even tryouts.
They combined for a total of three between them.
"One try out and two practices," says Enns.
"Two try outs and one practice for us," adds Poncelet.
"It's pretty tight."
Poncelet lost 10 players from last year's team. That leaves him with a total of two returning girls plus a couple of Gr. 10s.
"The girls are playing hard, that's all I care about."
"There were some good plays," said Enns.
Things in the opening set went well for the Halos, topping the home side 27-25, but the Raiderettes returned the favour in the second set, 25-22.
Enns said he wasn't crazy about the schedule starting so early into the school year.
"It makes you rush into the season a little bit."
Enns, like Poncelet, also coached the team last year, has lost some power, including Mariel Kotyk and middle Brianna Ostafie.
"I'm still trying to fill those holes."
The schedules for each school has also been released. Poncelet said his YRHS team should see action in nine of the next 10 weeks, with Thanksgiving weekend being the team's lone bye week in the 5A division.
Enns said his team should have seven weeks of games, including their home tournament, slated for the weekend of Oct. 19-20 and they will have two bye weeks.
