The Ecole Plamondon Hawks boys’ and St. Jerome Catholic School girls’ Spartans from Vermilion took home gold in the annual JA Williams (JAWS) Wow Pow volleyball tournament, which was held at the Bold Center from Oct. 25-26.
The sporting competition-which has been hosted by the high school in Lac La Biche since 1972-featured 450 senior high school volleyball players on 40 school teams from across northeastern Alberta.
During the final matches on Saturday evening, the Hawks faced off against the JAWS Sharks for a home-community matchup, while the Spartans took on the Lamont High Lakers. The Hawks and Sharks each won a close-battle set in their championship contest, with the Hawks taking the tie-breaking third set 15-11.
The Lakers dropped a 15-7 decision to the Spartans in a tie-breaker also needed in the senior girls’ finals.
Once the finals had concluded, the first-place teams were awarded with gold medals while the runners-up-JAWS and Lamont High received silver.
Sam Abougouche, principal of JA Williams High School, said the final between the Sharks and the Hawks was a great game that came down to the wire.
“Our two local teams are two of the top teams in the region and it’s great to see,” he told Lakeland This Week. “Such a great rivalry. I can’t wait until we meet them again.”
Abougouche continued by stating that the tournament-which is in its 52nd year-was an overall success from the opening serve to the final whistle. He thanked the teams, the community, the Bold Centre staff, volunteers and an army of organizers for their support. Organizing a sporting event of this magnitude, he said, is no small endeavour.
During the two full days of the Wow Pow, he added, there were six games happening simultaneously in the same building – tallying to about 70 matchups throughout the weekend.
“The energy and excitement that is generated in this environment is awesome,” he said.
This annual volleyball competition, he said, is a tradition in Lac La Biche that is always a highlight for students and their fans. Abougouche, a former student at JAWS, recollects spending the two full days at school as a fan watching the event, which brings in high school volleyball teams from all across Northeastern Alberta.
“I grew up in Lac La Biche and I remember WOW POW back when I attend JAWS high school 35 years ago,” he said. “Thanks again to all involved. What a great time it is. Just JAWSOME.”
Fans of high school volleyball will have plenty to cheer about during the month of November as JAWS hosts the JV districts volleyball tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 5 and the zones, which take place from Nov. 15-16.