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(Submitted)

The Great Plains College SunDogs will play a more active role in training their pups thanks to the creation of the Swift Current Junior SunDogs volleyball program. Three local female club teams – in the 18-and-under, 16-and-under, and 14-and-under age groups – have taken on the SunDogs name for the 2011 Saskatchewan Volleyball Association tournament season. (Schedule attached)

As part of the deal GPC is providing the teams with uniforms, water bottles, and practice time at the GPC gym. The SunDogs are also taking a lead role in the initiative with two players from their 2010 volleyball teams, Alisha Nelson and Tyler Byers, coaching the 14U team while SunDogs women’s head coach Morgan Halyk has taken the reins of the 16U team.

“It wasn’t a hard choice for us whether or not we wanted to partner with the college,” said Halyk, who also coached a local club team in 2010 before joining the SunDogs. “It’s expensive for girls to play club volleyball and it just made sense if we could work together to get a little assistance for the athletes and help promote the college along the way.”

The 18U and 16U teams include several players from last year’s 17U and 15U teams, while the 14U team is largely made of girls just starting to play competitive volleyball. Early results look promising after the 18U SunDogs placed sixth out of 21 teams at their season opener Jan. 22-23 in Yorkton.

“We’re thrilled to extend our program to include three junior teams,” said athletics coordinator MaryJane Benesh. “We’re really looking forward to building a solid relationship with these clubs and eventually, hopefully, welcoming some of the players to play for the college SunDogs.”


SWIFT CURRENT JUNIOR SUNDOGS 2011 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE


Jan. 22-23      18U ASICS Cup   Yorkton
Jan. 29-30      16U ASICS Cup   Lloydminster
Feb. 12-13      18U                     Moose Jaw
Feb. 19 14U                     Moose Jaw
March 5-6       18U                     Regina
March 5-6       16U                     Saskatoon
March 12-13     14U ASICS Cup   Saskatoon
March 26-27     16U ASICS Cup   Yorkton
April 2-3       18U ASICS Cup   Saskatoon
April 9-10      18U                     Prince Albert
April 9-10      16U                     Moose Jaw
April 9-10      14U provincials Saskatoon
April 16-17     18U provincials Saskatoon
April 30-May 1  16U provincials Saskatoon
May 7-8 14U Westerns            Saskatoon
May 21-23       16U Westerns            Calgary