LAC LA BICHE - - The École Plamondon Hawks girls came in first place while the Aurora Middle School Thunder boys’ team clinched second spot in the annual Aurora Thunder volleyball tournament, which took place at the school on Nov. 2.
The one-day competition brought six Grade 5 and 6 girls’ and boys’ volleyball teams together from Aurora, École Plamondon, Light of Christ Catholic School, École Beausejour, and École St. Catherine.
Chris McCullough, a teacher at Aurora, who also assists with coaching duties at the school, said about 65 young athletes on six teams participated in the tournament. She added that the Light of Christ team (The Rays) combined with École St. Catherine and some Grade 4 students were also added so that a full team could be made.
McCullough said the tournament went very well, with many of the players relatively new to the sport which saw teams playing in a triple ball format, which involves a sequence of three rallies – from a served ball and two tossed balls.
“I personally was impressed with the level of play, considering that these kids are in their first or second year of competition,” she told Lakeland This Week. “Triple Ball is played differently than regular volleyball to allow more touches and to help the kids practice using more than one hit to get it over the net.”
