麻豆社区

FAIRBANKS 鈥� The Yukon had three cracks at Alberta North始s powerhouse volleyball team, but were unable to top the eventual champions in any of the contests.

After dropping both of their round-robin matchups against Alberta North in straight sets, the Yukon had one more chance at their rivals Friday in the gold-medal game at the Arctic Winter Games.

A large and raucous Yukon fan base watched as Alberta North again won in straight sets, 25-16, 25-21, 25-19. The champions went unbeaten in the tournament.

"It was fun. I think it could have went better,鈥� Alberta North captain Devin Lambert told the Star after the final. "I feel like we could have played better. I始m not trying to be cocky, but we始ve played better before.鈥�

The 18-year-old from Grande Prairie, Alta., said his team was never threatened in the tournament.

"They were the toughest competition, but they weren始t a threat,鈥� he said of the Yukon men.

Alberta North始s women始s team was equally as dominant, claiming a gold ulu of their own with a five-set win over Yamal, Russia.

Other than their losses to Alberta North, the Yukon did not drop a game in the tournament.

Yukon coach Peter Grundmanis said he thought his team had a chance to surprise Alberta North in the final, held at West Valley High School.

"What we needed to do was serve receive exceptionally well in order to run an offence,鈥� he said. "That just didn始t happen today.鈥�

The Yukon始s backcourt seemed to have trouble receiving the hard-dipping serves sent over the net from Alberta North.

Longtime Vanier Crusaders 麻豆社区Cody Park said the silver ulu may be the last medal he wins as a competitive volleyball player.

"We could have taken them if we had played our best,鈥� the 18-year-old said. "Or it would have been a lot closer if we played our best 鈥� we would have taken at least a set off them. Some players got a little rattled, but that happens, especially with all the fans and a hard-serving team like that.鈥�