The 34^th Annual Callaghan Boys Volleyball Classic will be held this weekend at M.E. Callaghan School, with 10 teams competing for the Tignish Credit Union trophy.  Defending champions Summerside Owls will try to become the first repeat champion since Queen Charlotte won in 2004 and 2005.

The 10 teams will be divided into two pools.  Pool A, which begins play Friday at 1 pm, will include South Colchester Academy Wolves from Brookfield, NS., Graham Creighton Wildcats from Cherry Brook, NS. , Hernewood Huskies, Stonepark Tigers and Summerside Owls.  Pool B competition starts at 5:15 pm. The pool is  made up of host M.E. Callaghan Cougars, Truro, N.S. Panthers, Miscouche Mustangs, East Wiltshire Warriors and Queen Charlotte Crusaders.

The tenth annual Ravenwood Stairways Skills Competition will be held Saturday at 9 am.  The four events of the skills competition are serving, passing, setting and hitting

The medal matches in the tournament will be held Saturday at 3:15 pm.

Here is a brief look at each one of the ten teams:

 M.E. Callaghan Cougars - The Cougars, under coach Harvey Mazerolle, who is beginning his 33^rd season as coach of the Cougars, are looking for the seventh title for the West Prince school.  The Cougars have won six times (1979, 1986, 1992, 1996, 1997 and 2008). The Cougars have won medals 23 times.

 

Hernewood Huskies - Kelly Gorrill starts her 10^th season as coach of the Hernewood Huskies.  She will be assisted by Blair O’Halloran.  This will be the 33^rd straight appearance at the Classic for the Huskies, having missed only the inaugural event in 1977.  The Huskies will be looking for their fourth title, having won in 1982, 1983 and 2007.  They have won 12 medals previously.

 

Miscouche Mustangs - Darrell DesRoches returns as coach of the Mustangs after being away for close to 30 years.  He coached the Mustangs second ever Classic win back in 1980.  The Mustangs have won seven Callaghan Boys Classics (1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1999 and 2003).  They have won medals 16 times, finishing second the past two years. Dale MacDougall, coach of the Mustangs for 17 of the past 20 years, has retired.

 

Summerside Owls - This will be the fourth year at the helm of the Owls for Mark Montgomery.  The defending champs will be looking to repeat and notch Summerside's third championship (1994 and 2009).  The Owls have participated in 22 previous events and have medalled 8 times, including the last four years.

 

East Wiltshire Warriors - Lynn Boudreau, former University of Prince Edward Island head coach and Volleyball P.E.I. technical director takes over at the helm of the Warriors.  East Wiltshire will be making their 18^th Classic appearance, having won once (in 1987).  The Warriors have won medals five times.

 

Stonepark Tigers - The Tigers will be seeking their seventh title, having won six times previously (1988, 1989, 1990, 1998, 2000 and 2006).  They have won seven medals in their previous 19 Classic appearances. Kevin Campbell will be behind the bench for the Tigers, his seventh season.

 

Queen Charlotte Crusaders - Alister Smith will begin his first season as coach of the Crusaders. Queen Charlotte will be looking for its third championship, having won in 2004 and 2005.  It will be their 23^rd appearance, having won medals nine times.

 

Truro Panthers, N.S. - The Panthers are returning this year after make their Classic debut last year, finishing seventh of 10 teams.  Paul Tufts returns as coach.

 

South Colchester Academy Wolves, Brookfield, N.S. - Luanne Schenkels returns as coach of the Wolves who will be making their fifth Classic appearance, having not finished higher than sixth.

 

Graham Creighton Wildcats, Cherry Brook, N.S. - The Wildcats return after a three-year absence.  Graham Creighton has one Classic win (2002) to its credit, having participated in 10 previous tournaments.  Gary Saleski, again at the helm of the Wildcats, has been the Graham Creighton coach in all Wildcats Callaghan Classic appearances.