With high school volleyball playoffs and provincials nearing, the Steinbach Regional Sabres varsity teams remain on top.
Both the varsity girls’ and boys’ teams are ranked first in AAAA and have kept their spots since the beginning of October.
The boys’ team has remained undefeated in league play and has won two tournaments. Head Coach Joe Thiessen commends the team for their success and progress beyond the scoreboard.
“These guys are willing to work toward a common goal and it's not always about the scoreboard, but the process to get there, and the results have certainly been awesome,”
Varsity girls coach Amy Toews describes her team as an “energetic and charismatic bunch.”
Last year, the JV girls came first in provincials and the varsity girls were named South Central Athletic Conference (SCAC) champions. This year, the team has seen success in league play and tournaments, being named champions at the Royal Rumble and MBCI Invitational Tournament.
“The ultimate goal would be to win provincials and I think with this group, we have a good chance at it. But I mean, we always just hope that the girls do their best, no matter what the outcome is,”
With Grade 12s on both teams playing their final year of high school volleyball, both coaches reflect on the relationships they’ve created and developed.
Thiessen has a special connection to two of the players on his team. His son, Boston Thiessen and Hudson Rempel, both in Grade 12, have been under his guidance for their whole club volleyball career.
“Those two guys have real chemistry on the floor and it's evident every night. So, it's a real special opportunity for me,”
Toews is excited about the girls’ future endeavours.
“I coached them all last year as well in Grade 11 and so to see their growth from last year to this year has been really cool,” Toews said. “We always hope the best for our Grade 12s, whatever their future goals are and to try and help them with that.”
The girls travel to Winnipeg on Halloween to take on the Westgate Wings while the boys play at home against the Glenlawn Lions on Wednesday, November 2. Playoff volleyball kicks off in November.