With a combined 45 years experience competing at provincial events, Team Holland is aiming to make it to the top.
“[We aim to] ultimately obtain the provincial title and represent Saskatchewan at the National Scotties,” said Debbie Lozinski, the team’s lead.
The team, from the Regina Callie curling club, is made up for skip Amber Holland, who lives in Loreburn; third Cindy Ricci, who out of Emerald Park; second Laura Strong from Regina; and Lozinski, who lives in White City.
Their coach is Travis Brown, who coached Team Holland at the 2013 Olympic pre-trials
Holland, Strong and Lozinski played together last season, but they needed a third.
“Cindy Ricci was a previous teammate of both Amber and Deb but had taken some time off due to a hip injury and surgery,” Lozinski said. “When looking at available players and we knew Cindy was available, we just called her up to see if she would be willing to come back to the game with us.”
Ricci, who won the provincials in 1999, accepted the invitation.
“Cindy is a great player and teammate, so we were very happy when she said yes,” Lozinski said. “Five spiels and a ton of laughs and fun later, here we are preparing for provincials.
Holland was the national champion in 2011 and went on to place silver at the worlds. Strong has played in the nationals eight times representing Newfoundland, while Lozinski has been to the provincials 10 times.
The 2018-19 season also marks the 25th anniversary since Holland and Ricci represented Canada on a team at the World Junior Curling Champions and captured a silver medal.
On the Canadian Team Ranking System, Team Holland is the ranked fourth among women’s team in the province. Nationally, they’re 23rd.
Lozinski is expecting to have a good time in Humboldt.
“Having participated in provincials Humboldt has hosted in the past, [I’m expecting] a wonderful venue, great ice, fabulous volunteers, support from the local community, and, of course, the fans,” Lozinski said.
