Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
The Tlicho Warriors bounced a Fort Providence team from contention in the Co-ed Classic Volleyball Tournament en route to capturing the tournament title on Feb. 9.

Four teams competed in the event that was held at the same time as the Kingland Ford Hockey Tournament. Many spectators moved between the school gym and the arena to watch the two different sporting events, said Lawrence Nitsiza, the Hamlet of Fort Providence's recreation director, who organized the tournament.

Beating two squads

The Warriors, from Behchoko, went undefeated in the round-robin, beating the two squads from Fort Providence and the entry from Fort Resolution.

The Warriors went on to beat the Deh Gah School team in the semifinals before meeting Fort Resolution in the final.

"It was so close," said Jackie Bonnetrouge, the Warriors' captain.

Fort Resolution won the first set, but the Warriors won the next three to take the tournament.

"They were so happy. They were full of excitement," Bonnetrouge said of her teammates' response to winning.

Teamwork and having all of the team members get along well helped the Warriors win, she said. Most of the players are regular participants in the pick-up volleyball games that are held in Behchoko three times a week. The Warriors included Bonnetrouge, Billy Partner, Carly Gon, Julia Mackenzie, Kwaji Zoe, Gregory Black and Tommy Lafferty.

The fact that the male members of the team are awesome spikers also helped, Bonnetrouge said.

"If it wasn't for them we wouldn't have won," she said.

She said the tournament was well organized and the team plans on returning. She was particularly impressed by the performance of the Deh Gah School team.

"There were 14 year olds playing with adults and I was shocked how well they played," Bonnetrouge said.

Charlene Bonnetrouge, the captain of the Fort Providence team, also praised the younger Fort Providence players.

"The younger team did really well," she said.

For many of the younger players it was their first time at a volleyball tournament so they didn't know what to expect, she said.

The Deh Gah team included Brad Thom, Nathaniel Minoza, Axell Bouvier, Tookie McLeod, Brandon Constant, Christina Bonnetrouge, Delaney Vandell and Mike Leishman.

Charlene said her own team did OK, although many of the players were nervous. The Fort Providence team – comprising Charlene, Bertha Bouvier, Lawrence Sabourin, Jonathan Minoza, Howard Elleze and Curtis Sapp – finished in third place.

Charlene hopes to see the tournament become an annual event.

"It was kind of exciting to host a volleyball tournament," she said.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.