INUVIK
While East Three School is the home of a multitude of sports, few are as popular as volleyball.

Johnny Charlie, left, Cody Greenland, Jarvis Mitchell, Keenan Wolki and Jackson Christie played on the junior boys volleyball team for East Three Secondary last year. - photo courtesy of Britney Selina

"This school really loves volleyball," said coach Britney Selina. "It's a short season, we only have six weeks, and obviously the kids aspire to bring home a banner and crown themselves the champions."

With four teams on the go, more than 30 players are involved in the sport at the secondary level.

They all practise twice a week in preparation for the two highlights of the volleyball season - their home and away tournaments.

First up will be the regional Paulou Ittungna Memorial tournament Oct. 16 and 17. The event draws teams from all over the Beaufort Delta and is also a place for the grown-ups to show off their skills.

"It's been a huge success," said Selina. "Teams come in from the other communities and we have an adult division. It's always a really great time. Last year we had 12 teams, it was a great success and we had a lot of fun."

As for preparation, Selina said the students typically take care of the fitness aspect themselves, so practises can be dedicated to volleyball skills.

"The athletes are just that; athletes," she said. "Most know what it takes, they've been there before. It's up to the older ones to bring the new ones on board."

While the regional tournament may be a lot of fun, the highlight of the season is no doubt the Spike It Tournament in Yellowknife at the end of October.

Karis Dekwant is heading into her third year on the volleyball team and said she is more looking forward to the away tournament.

"We get to compete against people from across the Northwest Territories," she said. "And it's for the banner."

Dekwant said volleyball is one of her favourite sports after some of her friends encouraged her to get involved a few years ago.

"I like the teamwork aspect the best," she said. "I've always found it to be a fun sport."

Selina said the school plans to send four teams of eight players each to Spike It, the territorial championships.

"They work hard and they practice a lot," she said. "They're all pretty competitive, they definitely want to win that banner."

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