The Junior Smash Invitational champion F.P. Walshe Flyers. Back row, from left: coach Sarah Cowley, Addy Van Herk, Jaya Sharma, Lily Van Ee, Faith Hewlett, Nevayah Fox, Kinsley Herweyer and coach Michael McTighe. Front row, from left: Lydia Burdett, Alexa Van Herk, Alexandra Mariano, Ashlynn Oberkirsch and Savannah Cervo.
The F.P. Walshe Flyers were a smash hit at a weekend Junior A girls volleyball tournament in Vulcan.
The Flyers sailed through the County Central Junior Smash Invitational to win the championship on Saturday night.
The Flyers are Alexandra Mariano, Maddy Van Buuren, Kenni Smith, Kinsley Herweyer, Lydia Burdett, Jaya Sharma, Addy Van Herk, Savannah Cervo, Nevayah Fox, Lily Van Ee, Faith Hewlett, Alexa Van Herk and Ashlynn Oberkirsch.
F.P. Walshe was in Pool B for the round-robin portion of the tournament along with Noble Central Blades, Picture Butte Queens and Highwood Mustangs
Pool A was made up of Willow Creek Composite Cobras, Piikani Nation, Westmount Wolves and host County Central Hawks.
The Flyers opened the tournament against the Noble Central Blades from Nobleford.
The Flyers soared past the Blades, sweeping the match 25-10 and 25-9.
In their next round-robin match the Flyers swept Highwood Mustangs from High River, 25-20 and 27-25.
The Flyers closed out round-robin with a 25-10, 25-19 sweep of Picture Butte Queens.
Their 3-0 record put the Flyers first in their pool and set up a playoff match Saturday evening against Westmount Wolves from Calgary.
The Flyers prevailed over the Wolves, sweeping the match 25-20 and 25-16.
That win sent the Flyers into the tournament championship, where they met the Highwood Mustangs from High River.
The Mustangs galloped into the lead, beating the Flyers 25-20 in the first set.
F.P. Walshe rallied to win the second set 25-16 to force a tie-breaker.
The Flyers made no mistake in that third and deciding set, corralling the Mustangs 15-9.
