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The story behind the Raiders’ volleyball supremacy in Alberta
(Courtesy: Kirsten Dezutter; Credit: Gilles Theriault)

The story behind the Raiders’ volleyball supremacy in Alberta

RED DEER, Alberta — The Lindsay Thurber High School senior girls volleyball team closed out 2021 with another title in their trophy case. They claimed the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association (ASAA) 4A Provincial Championship for the third time in the past five years. The forced pause of more than a year due to the pandemic did not prevent them from ratifying their regional dominance.

“The 2021 season was very exciting, a season that our athletes, coaching staff and school were all looking forward to as we were hosting the ASAA 4A Provincial Championships,” Lindsay Thurber Raiders head coach Kirsten Dezutter said.

Other elements made this past year’s triumph very noteworthy for Dezutter.

“First of all, the pandemic posed a lot of concern throughout the whole season, meaning would we even get a chance to play,” the coach stated. “Setting protocols for athletes, spectators and coaches was a challenge that was difficult to navigate, and so actually having the championship was a win in itself. Second, we had team members who unfortunately were sick or injured at different parts of the season, which altered our approach a few times and also right before the zone and provincial championships.”

Due to these sicknesses and injuries, several athletes had to change roles and positions throughout the season.

An even more personal motive added to the significance of the Raiders’ 2021 achievement.

“It was a special experience to coach my daughter and experience the season with her,” Dezutter explained. “My family has been supportive of my coaching career for 20 years, and she often sat on my bench as she was growing up through elementary and middle school. Therefore, the memory of coaching her as a player on the team and winning with her on home court is a memory that we will cherish forever.”

According to Dezutter, heading into the season there was still some uncertainty as to whether or not they would be able to attend tournaments in other cities, be able to stay overnight in hotels and whether or not a provincial championship would be able to happen.

“Taking care of the health and well-being of the athletes was always at the forefront,” Dezutter said. “Our athletes did an excellent job at communicating with us when they were not feeling well, were cautious and stayed home to protect the rest of the team when they were sick.”

Dezutter highlighted the support of the Red Deer Public and Catholic School District as well as the Wolf Creek School Division so they could compete locally in the Central Alberta League. She also stressed the effort that ASAA and the organizing committee at Lindsay Thurber put in to make the provincial championship happen.

The formula for recurring success

With Dezutter at the helm, the Raiders have won seven provincial crowns in 20 years. She has succeeded in ensuring that her ideas have been taken on board by all the teams she has managed.

“I believe that our Raiders volleyball program has worked hard to create a culture of supporting each other like a family through whatever obstacles come our way,” she said. “Team chemistry is very important to us and being a great teammate is a common theme from year to year.”

The Raiders coach is grateful to all of the teams and athletes she has had the pleasure of coaching who have bought into her philosophy of work hard, be prepared for anything, learn from all experiences (good and bad) and believe in yourself and the team.

“I believe that being a Raider is as much about who you are off the court as it is on the court,” Dezutter said. “Our team members understand that they are always representing the Raiders.”

Given that team chemistry is crucial and that the break between seasons (from one fall to the next) is long, the Raiders organize a few get-togethers (a wind-up, some team events like secret Santa, etc.) that keep the girls connected. Also, some athletes play club volleyball and high school basketball together.

“We are fortunate that the girls have established close friendships as well,” Dezutter added. “High school volleyball has evolved for sure and it has been a great evolution to watch and be a part of. In the end though, always believing that you can win will continue to be our approach and that has remained constant from 2001 until now.”

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