It was a banner finish for the Clarenville High Cougars boys and the Heritage Collegiate Huskies girls on the weekend.
They each came away with gold medals and a Newfoundland and Labrador Volleyball Association (NLVA) banner to raise to the rafters in their respective school gymnasiums.
Twelve teams battled it out for the boys' title at the 15-under regionals at Clarenville.
The Cougars faced a familiar opponent in the final against Balbo Elementary of Shoal Harbour. The Cougars took the match in straight sets 25-18 and 25-14 to claim gold.
The bronze went to Tricentia Academy Timberwolves of Arnold's Cove. They won over Southwest Arm Academy by identical 25-14 scores.
The Cougars advanced to the final by defeating the Timberwolves in straight sets.
Mitchell Lundrigan of Balbo Elementary was named the tournament's most spirited player.
Twelve teams competed for the girls' title.
Heritage Collegiate clinched the gold with a close win over St. Michael's of Bell Island.
Heritage took the opening set 25-16. St. Michael's rallied in the second set to take a 25-20 victory and force a deciding set.
"It was a battle to the end with our girls defeating the islanders 17-15 in the third set to claim the banner," says Huskies coach Carol Blundon. "The players fed of the energy in the gym as players and spectators cheered for their teams throughout the tournament.
"It was a great two days of volleyball with very competitive teams," she says. "Many matches were decided in the third set which made for some very exciting volleyball."
Both teams battled hard in the final set with hard serves and power hits. But it was the Huskies who held on for the win by a 17-15 margin.
The win by the Huskies is their second this month. They won on home court at the Heritage Collegiate junior girls volleyball invitational on Nov 6.
Heritage Huskies girls squad will compete at School Sports NL's 3A provincial tournament next month in Bishop Falls.
Holy Trinity Tigers took bronze in the girls division, defeating St. Paul's Vipers.
Jenna Blagdon of the Huskies was named the tournament's most spirited player.
Blundon says the team has come a long way in the last couple of years.
"They've worked very hard to get to this point. They've had a remarkable season so far winning their home tournament, the School Sports NL 3A regional play down last week in Arnold's Cove, and now the NLVA Eastern Regional championship. To say they are excited is a little bit of an understatement. Way to go Huskies."
Upcoming competitions
There is still plenty of volleyball to come. Next month School Sports NL has 10 boys and girls provincial tournaments scheduled around the province. They include small schools, fair play, as well as 2A, 3A and 4A tournaments.
Also in December Clarenville High and Clarenville Middle School will host two NLVA sanctioned tournaments - the 14-under male and female boys' and girls' bantam regional east competitions. In the New Year the two schools will host five other NLVA tournaments.
