It was a good start to the season for the Dauphin Clippers senior boys volleyball team.

Competing in the Brandon University Varsity Boys Tournament, the Clippers finished fourth out of 31 teams.

Dauphin opened the tournament with a 25-16 and 26-24 win over Oxbow in their first match, then split with Ebb and Flow, 25-18 and 22-25.

A 25-17 and 25-23 win over Glenboro put the Clippers in first place, earning the team a playoff match against Elmwood, which Dauphin won, 25-14 and 25-8.

In the quarterfinals, the Clippers beat Weyburn, 20-25, 26-24 and 15-12, advancing to the semifinals where they lost to Estevan, 10-25 and 22-25.

In the bronze medal game, Dauphin fell to Yorkton, 16-25 and 23-25.

Gabriel Beaudin was named to the tournament all-star team for his stellar play throughout the weekend.

Clippers coach Taylor Schmidt felt it was a good start to the season.

“It was our first competition of the year and we have a fairly new group this year, with only four returning players. So we went into the tournament looking to improve throughout the whole tournament, both as individuals and as a team and take it from there,” he said.

“It was a great tournament, in that the team continued to improve each match and some of our best volleyball we played in the quarterfinals against Weyburn. We went down one set and we were able to come back and win in three to give us a spot in the semis.”

With this being their first tournament, the Clippers learned what they have to work on and where the players are best suited to play.

“It’s a great place to start and still lots of room to grow. And we’re looking forward to getting back into the gym for the next couple of weeks to continue to improve,” Schmidt said.

Beaudin was a big part of the team’s success, leading the team on and off the court. With so many new and inexperienced players, Beaudin did what Schmidt called “a wonderful job leading our group,” which the tournament organizer recognized in naming him to the all-star team.

“Well deserved and well earned by him,” Schmidt added.

Dauphin’s next tournament will be in Roblin, Oct. 3.

Dauphin’s JV girls volleyball team was in Niverville for the Southeast Spike Tournament, where they won the consolation final, placing fifth.

The Clippers began the event with a 25-8 and 25-19 win over Faith Academy, followed by a 25-8 and 25-9 win over St. Norbert.

Dauphin then split with the host Niverville squad, 22-25 and 25-14, to clinch first place in their pool.

In the quarterfinals, Dauphin lost to Gabrielle-Roy, 13-25 and 23-25, dropping the Clippers to the consolation side of the bracket.

In the consolation semifinals, the Clippers defeated Steinbach, 23-25, 25-15 and 16-14, advancing to the consolation final where they defeated Neelin, 18-25, 25-19 and 15-13, placing fifth.