NACI athletics update

Click on the logos above to read our digital editions

NACI athletics update - Nov. 22

Details: Published on Tuesday, November 22, 2016

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Press/Neepawa Banner

Dauphin tops Neepawa in Inter-zone volleyball

Some outstanding serving helped to lift the Dauphin Clippers to a straight sets victory (25-11, 25-19, 25-7) over the Neepawa Tigers in varsity volleyball play. The Inter-zone game was played on Thursday, Nov. 17. at the NACI gymnasium, with a chance to advance to provincials on the line. Though Neepawa came into this contest ranked ninth in the province, they simply couldn’t keep pace with the top team in the “AAA” high school volleyball power rankings.

The first set saw both sides get off to an even start, as Dauphin jumped out to a 6-4 advantage. As the game progressed, the powerful serving of several Clippers started to pile up the points. Along with that advantage, the Clippers also had a little bit of luck on their side. Over the course of the first set, Dauphin made several tremendous saves to keep the ball in play, turning what normally would be guaranteed points for the host Tigers into positive results for the visiting Clippers. That allowed Dauphin to cruise to a 25-11 win.

In the second set, Dauphin jumped out quickly, once again relying on the serve to take a 8-4 lead. The thirteenth point would turn out to be the rally of the night. Both teams volleyed back and forth for 14 consecutive contacts, with each sides making amazing saves to keep the rally going. It would be the Tigers who would ultimately claim the point to make it 8-5. The rest of the set was even, but the early scoring from the Clippers allowed them to hold on to the 25-19 victory.

For the third and final set, Dauphin simply took over due to a dominant serve and jumped out to a 15-2 advantage quickly. From there they were able to claim the 25-7 victory and earn a spot in provincials. Neepawa still has an opportunity to advance, but will need to bid for a wildcard position..

Tigers beat Clippers on the ice

A pair of goals from Ben Rainka aided the Neepawa Tigers in their 4-3 win over the Dauphin Clippers on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Will Birnie and Landon Young, who contributed the eventual game winner, notched the other goals for NACI. With the win, the Tigers improved their Westman High School Hockey League (WHSHL) regular season record to 3-2-2-0, while the Clippers fell to 2-2-0-0.

Rainka opened up the scoring on an unassisted effort, with just 1:58 seconds remaining in the first period, but Dauphin quickly replied before the end of the opening frame, to keep it deadlocked after 20 minutes of play.

Early in the second, Rainka added his second of the night on a power-play opportunity. Ryan Kostenchuk and Brennan Wiebe assisted on the play. A short time later, however, Dauphin answered back with a power-play goal of their own, to once again tie the game.

Will Birnie reclaimed the lead for Neepawa early in the third. Dylan Oshanyk and Baren Mitchler earned assists on the play. Late in the game, Dauphin once again tied the score, seemingly sending it into overtime. The need for sudden death was not required though, as Landon Young secured the game winner with 4:50 seconds remaining in regulation. Dauphin pressed hard for its fourth straight equalizer, but couldn’t come up with the goal.

Neepawa’s next regular game is not scheduled until Wednesday, Nov. 30, when the Tigers will face the Virden Golden Bears. Start time at the Yellowhead Centre is set for 7:15 p.m.