17 and Over and Open Beach Volleyball at the 2014 SASG

Lethbridge 1 vs MD of Pincher Creek
Justine Jorgensen photos and videos

Justine Jorgensen

The Juan Teran Park Beach Volleyball Court was the site of two on two beach volleyball for girls 17 and over on Friday, July 4 as part of the 2014 Southern Alberta Summer Games.  Although a breeze picked up in the afternoon, the day was very hot; players had to dig deep to play their best in both the heat and the deep sand of the courts.

Alyssa Parkin (Pincher Creek)

A significant aspect of the day was the amount of smiles on everyone's faces. Onlookers basked in the sun while the players enjoyed the game on the court; people were having fun. There was an air of good sportsmanship - teams would laugh at their own mistakes and encourage not only teammates, but the opposing team as well. Beach volleyball regulations dictate that the teams must switch sides constantly throughout a set, after a team reaches a certain amount of points. Every time this happened, the players made sure to high-five the other team as they passed one another, ducking underneath the net.

Raegan Jackson (Crowsnest Pass)

Crowsnest Pass vs Pincher Creek

Although the teams seemed lighthearted and carefree, there was also an element of competition. Throughout the day there was the opportunity to watch both teams that were more competitive and others that were in the Games for fun.

Saturday, July 5 saw the Open Co-Ed four on four teams on the two courts. The intensity of these games was fantastic to watch; there were several great saves, hits and plays from teams that consisted of many seasoned volleyball players. Although the intensity was heightened somewhat from the previous day of competition, there was still the easygoing feel to the event. Players still supported one another and commented on good plays, whether by their own team or the other team.

Beach Volleyball 4 on 4 Open Gold - MD of Willow Creek 1

4 on 4 Silver - City of Lethbridge 2

4 on 4 Bronze - MD of Willow Creek 2

The final between the MD of Willow Creek #1 and the City of Lethbridge #2 was a nail-biter. It highlighted great hitting and plays, with the players unafraid to hit the sand in diving for the ball. The evenly matched game continued to three sets, finally ending with gold for the younger Willow Creek team and silver for Lethbridge. In the bronze medal game, the MD of Willow Creek #2 pushed forward to win third over the City of Lethbridge #1.    

MD of Willow Creek 1 vs MD of Willow Creek 2

City of Lethbridge 1 vs Willow Creek 2

City of Lethbridge 1 vs MD of Willow Creek 2

City of Lethbridge 1 vs Willow Creek 2

County of Lethbridge vs City of Lethbridge 1

County of Lethbridge vs City of Lethbridge 1

County of Lethbridge vs City of Lethbridge 1

Md of  Willow Creek 1 vs MD of Willow Creek 2

MD of Willow Creek 1 vs City of Lethbridge

MD of Pincher Creek vs City of Lethbridge 1

MD of Willow Creek 1 vs MD of Willow Creek 2

MD of Pincher Creek vs MD of Willow Creek 1

MD of Pincher Creek vs MD of Willow Creek 1

MD of Pincher Creek vs County of Lethbridge