(Submitted photo)
Volleyball

P.A. teens dig up bronze at volleyball nationals

May 18, 2025 | 8:00 AM

Prince Albert’s Roca McDonald and Katana Billay are making big waves on the volleyball court.

They were members of the Huskies U14 Premier team that finished third last weekend at Nationals in Winnipeg. There were 104 teams competing.

“It was crazy. It was like the best feeling ever. We had such a good experience and we played so good as a team,” Billay told paNOW.

The group had an amazing season, going undefeated in Saskatchewan and earning three SaskCup gold medals and the Provincial Championship. At Nationals their only losses were to the teams that won gold and silver.

Billay at the net. (Submitted photo)

Billay, who attends St. Mary High School, was invited to try out for the team, after getting noticed during last year’s provincial summer games. This year was her second trip to Nationals, having gone last year with the P.A. Toppers.

“It’s very big and very and you can tell that everyone’s there to compete and there is a lot of people watching and it’s very nerve-racking but it’s such an amazing feeling,” she shared.

McDonald, who goes to school at Carlton Comprehensive, was equally excited about the team’s performance.

“It was really good to be there with like my best friends and the best coaches and just the support from family and friends was really cool and I’m just really grateful for the experience.”

Roca McDonald serves up an Ace. (Submitted photo)

Tryouts were held last December and like Billay, McDonald opted to try out with the Saskatoon team and test her skills. She acknowledged winning a medal was great, but doing it with one of her best friends, was even better.

“It was super competitive and everyone was so nice and you could just tell everyone was having a lot of fun,” she said.

Both girls aspire to return next year and win gold.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social

View Comments