NWT 2023 Senior Spike It!

South Slave volleyball success in the capital at Senior Spike It!

by James McCarthy November 2, 2023

Trey Wallington, right, goes up for the tip shot as Byron O’Brien tries to get out of the way during the 15U boys Tier 2 final of Senior Spike It! in Yellowknife on Sunday. James McCarthy/NNSL photohttps://975410d41088f261307a359aa404ae80.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html?n=0

And so ends another year of scholastic volleyball in the NWT, but not before another big weekend of action in Yellowknife.

In the case of schools from the South Slave, it was definitely worth the trip to the capital.

Four of the eight banners up for grabs left for Hay River and Fort Smith following finals day on Sunday. Diamond Jenness Secondary School took home two of those four by winning the 15U girls and 19U girls championship contests in Tier 2.

The 15U girls managed to overcome Sir John Franklin High School of Yellowknife in a five-set battle; the ladies won the final set, 15-11, to set off some rather happy scenes at Weledeh Gymnasium.

It was a long weekend as the final for the ladies was their ninth game of the tournament, but that didn’t bother Kaiah Carter too much.

“It was well worth the trip,” she said following the final. “The legs are sore.”

Having to battle it out in a fifth and deciding set is usually a nerve-wracking experience for any team and Carter said that was no different for her team.

The difference was it was both a good and bad nerve-wracking experience.

“You’re close to the win but at the same time, if you lose, you worked so hard to get all this way and not get the win,” she said.

Winning gold was also good for Carter for another reason.

“It matches the colour of my room,” she said.

Kairyssa Jacobs also played on the victorious 15U squad and said the chalk talk between the fourth and fifth set was just about making sure they were ready.

“Just making sure we were switching our positions and preparing,” she said. “Going into a fifth set is scary, but it’s also exciting because anything can happen.”

One of the more impressive statistics from the final was the serving of Danica Ungar, who managed to get 38 serves over with no misses: nothing into the net and nothing long or wide.

Naturally, there was to be a celebration following the championship win and Jacobs knew exactly where she was going.

“Booster Juice,” she said. “I (had) two free drinks for being most valuable player, so that’s what I’m getting.:

The most valuable players from each team in every game was awarded a voucher from Booster Juice.

Diamond Jenness’ 19U girls outfit defeated Chief Albert Wright School of Tulita for its banner, while Ecole Boreale’s 19U boys squad won the Tier 2 banner over the Deline Lakers. Paul W. Kaeser High School of Fort Smith was the lone South Slave school to cop a Tier 1 banner thanks to the 19U girls team defeating Sir John Franklin, 3-1 in sets, in the final.

—————————————————————————————————

Welcome to another thrilling season of High School Volleyball, where passion, teamwork, and fierce competition collide on the courts. We are absolutely thrilled to be hosting this remarkable event, and our anticipation is growing as we prepare to welcome the student-athletes who will set the courts on fire with their skills and determination.

Ecole Sir John Franklin High School and St. Patrick High School cordially invite you to our vibrant community for our much-anticipated annual event, the Senior Spike It Championship. It’s that time of the year when our two schools come together to celebrate the spirit of athleticism and sportsmanship, bringing together talented players from across the region for an unforgettable competition.

As we gear up for this year’s event, we are committed to providing an outstanding experience for both the participants and the audience. The Tournify App is just one of the ways we’re enhancing your experience, ensuring that you’re never too far from the action. Join us in celebrating the passion and dedication of these young athletes as they strive for victory and showcase their skills on the court.

This season promises to be one filled with electrifying moments, unforgettable rallies, and sportsmanship at its finest. We hope to see you there, and whether you’re a seasoned volleyball enthusiast or a casual observer, you won’t want to miss the Senior Spike It Championship.

Click here for the individual team

Participants