Randi Harb, of the SAERC Saints, goes up for a spike as NDA Acadiens’ Andrée Aucoin prepares to defend during the Niki King Memorial volleyball tournament in Port Hawkesbury.
-by Bill Dunphy
Mainland teams came to play at the 6th Annual Niki King Memorial girls volleyball tournament.
Hosted by the Strait Area Education and Recreation Centre in Port Hawkesbury, both the Tier 2 SAERC Saints and the Tier 1 NDA Acadiens fell to mainland teams in their respective championship games.
In the Tier 1 final, a very strong Northumberland Regional High School team needed three games to get past the NDA Acadiens for a 2-1 victory.
The Acadiens got their tournament started with a solid win over the host SAERC Saints on Friday, 25-17, 25-11. It avenged a loss to the Saints the week before, with SAERC winning game three 15-13.
The Saints rebounded from the opening loss to win bronze medals with a 2-0 win over Sydney Academy.
Tier 1 all-stars were: Rachelle Aucoin, NDA; Cailey McNamara, SAERC; Jamie Sinclair, SA; and Rilee McLean, NRHS. Coach’s awards: Melissa Larade, NDA; Emilie MacKinnon, SAERC; Tanaya Paul, SA; Katie Nickerson, NRHS.
The tournament MVP was Jamie Crocket of NRHS.
In the Tier 2 final, Pomquet defeated SAERC 2-1. Pomquet advanced to the final by downing North Nova 2-1 in a semifinal.
SAERC’s Kalli Harb and Allison Jewers were selected to the all-star team and Kelsey Lucas won a coach’s award.
Amber Benoit, of Pomquet was the tournament MVP.
