The Vernon Christian Royals secured a silver medal at the 12-team B.C. A Senior Boys High School Volleyball Championships at St. Ann’s Academy in Kamloops.
The Royals lost the final, 25-15, 18-25, 26-24, 26-24, to the Credo Christian Kodiaks of Langley.
Credo came strong out led by their serving which kept the Royals attack out of rhythm in the first set VCS rebounded in the second, led by strong serving from Kaden Koshman 25-18.
The third and fourth sets were a real seesaw battle as the Kodiaks prevailed 26-24, 26-24. Ben Molitwenik had 11 kills while Noah Podolski ended with 12 kills and Liam Remple finished with a line of seven in 11 chances. Devon Hofsink led the Royals with three blocks to go along with his nine kills in 16 swings. Libero Shaun Huizinga was once again solid in passing and digging on defence. The Kodiaks won the last two points as both block attempts by the Royals landed just out of bounds.
Molitwenik and Hofsink were named to the first all-star team, while Podolski made the second team.
Said coachesDwayne Remple, Chris Bannick and Brennan Seltzer: “We are very proud of these boys and the season they had together. A very special group that were very mature in their sportsmanship and attitude. Win or lose we always tried to pray with the other team and show them respect not as our enemy but as an opponent in which we play to make each of us better.”
The Credo victory avenged a straight set 25-22, 25-23 Royals win over the Kodiaks in the preliminary round.
Vernon Christian had been undefeated up until the final, losing only three games.
In the round-robin, the Royals defeated the Kodiaks; the Centennial Centaurs of Coquitlam 2-1 (21-25, 25-19, 15-11); the Carver Christian Phoenix of Burnaby 2-0 (25-13, 25-16); the Ebenezer Canadian Reformed School Auroras of Smithers 2-0 (25-23, 27-25) and the Ucluelet Warriors 2-1 (18-25, 25-19, 15-6).
Vernon Christian defeated the Bulkley Valley Christian Royals of Smithers 3-1 in the quarterfinals (12-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-19), then swept to the championship game by defeating the Centaurs 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-23).
The Vernon Panthers finished 16th out of 24 teams at the B.C. Junior Boys Volleyball Championships in Kelowna and West Kelowna.
The Panthers went 2-1 in the round robin, then lost four consecutive games in the playoff round to finish 16th.
Three Vernon teams begin play this week at provincial high school volleyball tournaments.
The Seaton Sonics are in a pool with Gulf Islands Scorpions of Salt Spring Island, Pacific Christian Pacers of Victoria and Charles Tupper Tigers of Vancouver at the B.C. AA Boys finals in Langley. Play starts today (Wednesday).
The Vernon Christian Royals will play the host Fernie Falcons, Nanaimo Christian and Credo Christian Thursday at the B.C. A Girls championships.
The Seaton Sonics have been grouped with G.W. Graham Grizzlies of Chilliwack, Mark Isfeld Ice of Comox and Hugh McRoberts Strikers of Richmond at the B.C. AAA Girls finals at Crofton House in Vancouver.