Thurber volleyball teams bring home provincial medals

The Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School’s Senior Boys and Senior Girls Volleyball Teams delivered exceptional performances at the 2024 ASAA 4A Provincial Championship, bringing home gold and silver medals.

On November 23, the Raiders Senior Boys Volleyball Team triumphed in a nail-biting five-set match against Calgary's William Aberhart Orange (27-25, 22-25, 25-17, 22-25 and 19-17) to claim the provincial title in Lethbridge. The Senior Girls battled fiercely against the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute in three sets (24-26, 17-25 and 21-25) to earn the silver medal.

“It was an awesome season. I am so proud of the team,” said Travis Czainski, Head Coach of the Senior Boys Volleyball Team. “We set our goals from the start to win a provincial championship, and to do that was pretty special. Every time we challenged them with something, they rose to the occasion and made their best efforts every time.”

The Senior Boys capped off a dominant season, winning five out of seven tournaments, and placing second in the other two.

“They are an incredible group of kids,” said Travis. “As a coach that is the most important thing is how the kids grow beyond the program, and I am confident that they will be successful in whatever they choose to do.”

Heading into the provincial championship weekend, the Senior Boys were ranked number one, a difference from the year before.

“Last year, we were the underdogs, but this year we had the target on our backs,” said Travis. “It adds a bit more pressure when you’re the team that is supposed to win.”

For the Senior Girls, the season was equally remarkable, marked by dedication and teamwork.

“It was a phenomenal season,” said Kirsten DeZutter, Head Coach of the Senior Girls Volleyball Team. “We had a group of beautiful, kind, intelligent and talented young women who were an absolute pleasure to coach. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

DeZutter highlighted the resilience and determination of her team throughout the championship weekend. 

“Every game was a hard fought battle,” she said. “Their strength, confidence and ability to support one another was truly inspiring.”

Chris Good, Principal at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School, said he is proud of the coaches and players from both teams.

“They treated us to a great season of volleyball,” he said. “I was lucky enough to be in Lethbridge for provincials and was happy to see the hard work and dedication of the players and coaches come together with another great result.”