"Winner Takes All" Team Going to Nationals

The 1981 qualifying play for the Provincial Championship consisted of three tournaments with different weighting factors.  The first tournament was played in Calgary.  The Avalanche went undefeated in six matches, losing only one game during the day.  After the first tournament, Wetaskiwin was in first place.  The second tournament was held in Edmonton and Wetaskiwin ended up second in that tournament behind Calgary.  The third tournament was held in Wetaskiwin at the high school and Centennial Elementary.  Going into the finals Wetaskiwin had 98 points and Calgary had 95 points so it was “winner take all”.  Wetaskiwin won the tournament and the right to represent Alberta at the National Championships in St John’s Newfoundland.  

In preparation for their trip to Newfoundland Coach Ethier had his players up jogging every morning at 5 AM in an effort to become used to the time difference.  To hopefully win a medal, Coach E implemented a new offence and kept the skill level of his players tuned up.  As well, he tried to develop a strong team attitude.

Twenty-four teams comprised of 275 athletes converged on the city of St John’s for the National Tournament, to that time one of the biggest events in the city’s sporting history. Once Wetaskiwin won the Provincials, plans were already in place for the team to be billeted with relatives of one player and in four other households.  Each night during their stay in St John’s they dined in different homes enjoying the great hospitality of Newfoundland. 

Undefeated Streak Leads to Bronze

In round-robin play in the National Championships the Wetaskiwin Avalanche went undefeated and ended up in first place in their pool by winning against British Columbia 16-14, 15-11, Quebec 16-14-15-7, Newfoundland 15-2, 15-4, Ontario 17-15, 15-11 and Saskatchewan 16-14, 15-7.  Due to their first place finish, the club received a bye into the semi-final where they met and lost to the eventual tournament champions, Quebec, by scores of 15-13 and 15-11.  A quote in the Wetaskiwin Times from Ethier stated: “If we played Quebec in 10 matches, I’d have to say each team would win five” indicating how competitive the Avalanche were. With a few breaks going their way they could have won gold. The Quebec loss dropped the Avalanche into play for the bronze medal against the Manitoba Wesman.  The locals won the first game 15-10, lost the second 15-3 before coming back to win the third game and the bronze medal 15-9. They lost one match in the tournament and won the bronze medal, an incredible feat for the Avalanche.   “It was an amazing year” said Coach E in the same Times article. 

The club was supported by the Legion and other Wetaskiwin service clubs as well as the business and residential community.  The Wetaskiwin Avalanche Branch #86 became established as one of the most intense areas for Volleyball in Alberta, a testament to their coach and the athletic ability and dedication of the team members.      

Still Most Decorated Volleyball Team in More than Forty Years 

The 1981 Wetaskiwin Juvenile Men’s Avalanche Volleyball Club remain the most decorated Volleyball Team in Wetaskiwin’s history.  Coming from our small community and winning a medal on the National stage is something the team and our community will always treasure.  Congratulations to all of the team members and especially to their Coach Larry Ethier.   Larry was inducted into the Wetaskiwin & County Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 as a Builder for all of his efforts with young people in our community.  His untimely passing away in 2017 saddened all of us, especially his former students and the athletes he coached.  The 1981 Juveniles are a credit to their sport and our community and super role models for the young people of Wetaskiwin and County.  Their induction into the Wetaskiwin & County Sports Hall of Fame is well deserved!