By rights, the North Battleford Comprehensive High School senior girls' volleyball team would've been moving on to provincials regardless of the results on the weekend, but they took third place and earned their way in.
NBCHS was the host site to six 5A senior girls' volleyball teams with the top four teams earning spots at provincials, which will be held at NBCHS on the weekend.
The Vikings started the tournament with a convincing two-set win over Kindersley by scores of 25-14, 25-11.
Next the Vikings went up against Prince Albert Carlton and were on the losing end of 25-15, 25-15 scores.
The Vikings 1-1 record put them in second place in their pool and up against their city rivals from John Paul II in the quarter-final.
John Paul II finished 0-2 after the round robin with losses coming against Meadow Lake 23-25, 25-17, 27-15 and 25-15, 25-14 to Prince Albert St. Mary.
In the quarter-final, the Vikings won in straight sets, 25-22, 25-14 to move to the semi final and officially clinch a spot at provincials.
Prince Albert beat NBCHS 25-14, 25-19 setting up an all Prince Albert final between Carlton and St. Mary.
Carlton went on to win in three sets, 18-25, 25-13, 29-17 to take the regional gold medal.
The bronze medal went to NBCHS after they beat Meadow Lake in three sets by scores of 19-25, 26-24, 25-13, staying with the win-loss-win-loss trend.
The reason it was so close, according to NBCHS's coach Sheila Gabert, was that her team simply weren't moving their feet.
"This week we are working on our first pass and moving our feet," said Gabert.
The Vikings have a relatively young team with two seniors, four Grade 11s and the remainder Grade 10s, but Gabert says the most consistent team will prevail at the provincial tournament.
This season, Gabert's thoughts match those of other coaches across the province. No team is coming in as the heavy favourite and the title truly is up for grabs.
She did however, mention both Prince Albert teams and Moose Jaw Peacock have players over six feet tall and that could be a key factor this weekend.
The NBCHS team is hopeful they are peaking at the right time since they have played with their starting lineup just twice this season - the first weekend of the season and regionals - mostly due to illnesses on the team.
Throughout the season, the girls found themselves playing in the championship side at most tournaments, but with sometimes a depleted roster they haven't won anything yet.
Maybe they are saving the best for last? Gabert and her team certainly hope so.
The opening ceremonies for the provincial championship takes place a t 10 a.m. Friday at NBCHS and the final game should wrap up around 6 p.m. Saturday, as the top 12 teams from the province will be in action.
