THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - Eight athletes from Fort Simpson took their volleyball skills on the road to compete in the Lawrie Hobart Memorial Tournament in Fort Smith last weekend.

Members of the Thomas Simpson School girls' volleyball team that competed in the Lawrie Hobart Memorial Tournament include from left, back row: coach John Forbes, Sara Amundson, Katrina Browning and Leanne Ocko; front row: Tiffany Larter and Angela Lu. Missing from the photo are Sherissa Grossetete, Janelle Bruneau and Winona Cli-Letcher. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The team, which competed in the Grade 8 division, took fourth place.

"They were enthusiastic and tried hard," said coach John Forbes.

Travelling players included Sara Amundson, Katrina Browning, Leanne Ocko, Angela Lu, Tiffany Larter, Sherissa Grossetete, Janelle Bruneau and Winona Cli-Letcher.

In the round robin, which started on Oct. 23, Fort Simpson missed winning all three of its games by close margins.

In the games against Fort Smith, Rae-Edzo and Hay River the team only lost by between two and six points.

All of the teams were evenly matched and the Simpson girls came close to winning two of their games, said Forbes. The team was at a disadvantage because three of its athletes belonged in a younger age division, he added.

"Their effort was great. They improved greatly over each game," said Ashley Okrainec who also coached the team.

Forbes and Okrainec agreed the team members displayed good sportsmanship and their court awareness improved after the first few games.

Saturday was a long day for the team. The girls played their first game at 10:30 a.m. and lost their only playoff game to Fort Smith at 10:30 p.m. Fort Smith won the game two sets to zero. Forbes said his team was tired by the time it reached the playoff game.

Despite the defeat team member Katrina Browning said the last game was the team's best. We all had fun and didn't care about the score, said Browning.

The tournament was a good experience, Browning said.

"We all had a good time," she said.

Fellow team member Angela Lu said the team did well considering the fact the competition had had more practise.

"We tried really hard to get each ball," said Lu.

"I think we did good."

During the tournament both Leanne Ocko and Browning's strong serving skills helped the team, said Forbes. The team also cheered on Tiffany Larter when she won a few points with her serving.