SPORTS FLASHBACK 1991: Landmark captures first volleyball championship

The Landmark 96’ers humbled the host Niverville Panthers 15-6, 15-2 in the championship final to win their first ever Provincial ‘A’ High School Boys’ Volleyball Championship on the weekend.

The 96’ers, were the number one ranked team going into the provincials and were considered one of the top volleyball teams in rural Manitoba. The team saved their best volleyball of the weekend for the final against the hometown Panthers, and clearly showed their superiority in the back-to-back lopsided victories.

For the Panthers, who were runners-up for the second consecutive year, it was disappointing to lose the final again, but it was also an accomplishment just reaching the finals.

The rivalry that has been built up between Landmark and Niverville during the past two years was clearly evidenced by the more than 400 boisterous fans who jammed into the Niverville Collegiate gymnasium for the championship final.

Led by power hitter Randy Reimer, who was selected the tournament MVP, the attack and blocking of the taller Landmark team was too much for the Panthers.

Landmark and Niverville each finished first in their respective pools; the 96’ers with a perfect 4-0 mark, and the Panthers at 3-1.

That pitted Landmark against ninth ranked Birtle in the quarter-finals, and although Landmark won the set two games to one, by scores of 15-7, 12-15, 15-6, the team played poorly. The loss in the second game of that match was the only game Landmark lost all weekend. Niverville had an easier time of it in their quarter-final, defeating Roblin 15-4, 15-11.

Niverville defeated Glenboro before an enthusiastic home crowd to advance to the final.