The Lindsay Thurber Raiders senior girls' volleyball team will look to capture their fourth straight 4A central zone championship this season.
The 2024 campaign began Tuesday night with the Raiders sweeping the St. Joseph Falcons in three straight sets.
There's no doubt they'll be the team to beat once again in the girl's central zone who are fresh off a bronze medal finish at provincials last year. They were the number one seed heading into the tournament in 2023 and for a good reason after winning back-to-back provincial gold in 2021 and 2022.
However, this is a new team, with new players, and a fresh perspective. They're just focused on taking it one game at a time.
"Given some of the experience we have but also with the youth that we have, we're just hoping to be competitive," said head coach Kirsten DeZutter.
"That's always our goal is to competitive both in central Alberta and province-wide. We always just try to be the best that we can be when we set foot on the court. It's tough to set a provincial goal until you have seen what the rest of the province looks like. We just focus on our girls and improve each day in practice. We also try not to put any more expectations on them than they already do themselves."
Before the regular season began they also had a successful tournament at the University of Alberta in Edmonton that featured 32 teams where they went undefeated and won the gold medal.
They also plan to head to more tournaments throughout the province in an effort to face some of the top teams in Alberta.
"Anytime you win a tournament it for sure gives you confidence but when you win a tournament of that magnitude it was very exciting for our group," she said. "We only had one full practice together before we left so we were pleased with how we performed."
This year the Raiders will be led by six Grade 12s followed by three Grade 11s, and four Grade 10s. DeZutter explained they're happy with the group of veterans they have leading the way but are excited about the group of talented young athletes.
"What's been cool is just to see them embrace each other and they've been meshing really well together off the bat, which has been nice for everyone," she said.
With the team's past success comes pressure to perform well year after year but DeZutter said they make sure to address that with the team. They try to stay present and refrain from comparing them to teams from past years.
"We focus on the goals that are appropriate for the group that we have and try to focus in on one day at a time, one practice at a time, and one point at a time," she said.
"I don't sense that added pressure on the girls. I think what's really cool is if you've played on the team before what's really nice to see is the girls showing their teammates this is what we do.
"They're teaching the young ones this is how we warm up, prepare, and plan. That year after year leadership we appreciate as a coaching staff and as a program. We just want them to be comfortable, excited to be Raiders, and to play for the Raiders."
