NPSS Grizzlies weekly update: Success at Howler Cup

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Back to school began almost one month ago, marking the return of the North Peace Secondary School (NPSS) Grizzlies and its weekly update. 

This past weekend, the NPSS Grizzlies boys’ and girls’ volleyball teams travelled to Grande Prairie, while the cross country team hosted their annual “Battle at the Beatton” race.

Volleyball:

The NPSS volleyball teams travelled to Grande Prairie last weekend to compete in the Howler Cup, hosted by the Northwestern Polytechnic Wolves. 

The senior boys played 16 sets over a two-day tournament and earned a bronze medal against St. Thomas Moore High School.

According to head coach Mackenzie Uskiw, the senior boys shared many great moments of hard work, leadership, and athleticism throughout the tournament. 

“Some major highlights consisted of Owen Dunn hitting a T-line ball off of an overpass from the other team, scoring a crucial point for us which enabled us to side out and go on an 8-point serving run led by Donovan Snider,” said Uskiw. 

“All around, the team was making great plays and decisions on the floor from all of our boys this weekend.”

Team captains Owen Dunn and Maddox Palfy led the team with their ability to make smart plays, dynamic recoveries, and the ability to consistently perform under pressure, earning them both “Player of the Weekend” titles.

The senior girls played four games against different schools over the duration of the tournament, finishing with three wins and one loss, which placed them second in their pool. 

Senior girls’ head coach Alexandra Bacso says she experienced a “proud moment of seeing unity in the players” during the tournament. 

“Positive vibes on and off the bench always,” said Bacso.

“Players came in to fulfill certain roles and have seen amazing growth since the first practices of the season to execution at the first tournament.”

The girls placed fifth overall and are looking forward to heading to the next tournament at the University of Fraser Valley (UFV) in Abbotsford. There, they will have to opportunity to assess the competition from southern B.C. and teams they may compete against at provincials. 

Player of the Weekend was awarded to Mia Currie for demonstrating resiliency throughout the tournament, helping shift the team’s momentum in their final game, and leading them to the win. 

Every player on the junior boys’ team made a contribution during the Howler Cup, where they competed against senior teams. The boys finished with a 2-3 record and showed they could hold their own against older teams. 

Jayden Labelle demonstrated a high level of passing to help run the court, and Jonathon Toews served perfectly all weekend, helping the team score points. 

The junior girls’ team had a great start to the season in their first tournament, also competing in the senior division, where they placed second in their pool of five teams. Overall, they placed eighth out of 16 teams. 

Darcy Holloway was awarded Player of the Weekend for fantastic hitting at the net and solid play in the back row. 

Cross-country:

The NPSS Grizzlies cross country team hosted their annual “Battle at the Beatton” race on Saturday morning, featuring 25 competitors from NPSS and Dawson Creek Secondary School (DCSS). 

In the grade 9 to 10 division running in a four-kilometre race, Romeo Bowie placed first (20:25), and Adam Dick placed second (22:15).

In the grade 11 to 12 division running in a six-kilometre race, Griffin McCue placed first (26:27), and Hugo Levebre placed third (28:42). 

In the girls’ division, Brynn Adam placed first (32:43), Jimena Fernadez Uribarrena placed second (34:07), and Raelle Amobe placed third (35:34).

Up next for the Grizzlies:

The senior boys’ and junior girls’ volleyball team will head to Whitecourt, Alberta, to compete in a tournament from September 29th to 30th, and the junior boys will participate in a local tournament at Bert Bowes Middle School on the same weekend. The senior girls will head to UFV for a tournament from October 5th to 7th. 

The next cross-country event is in Dawson Creek on October 14th. 

The Grizzlies boys’ soccer team will compete in Prince George from October 12th to 13th.