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JUNIOR VOLLEYBALL: Vernon Christian School Royals make school history

Royals become first junior boys team to qualify for provincial champonships
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The VCS Royals junior boys volleyball team made school history, becoming the first junior team at the school to earn a spot at the junior provincial championships.

The Royals finished league play in first place and second in playoffs, earning them a spot at the Okanagan Valley championships in Revelstoke.

VCS had a rough opening day Friday, losing to Sa-Hali of Kamloops and George Elliot of Lake Country in straight sets.

The Royals squeaked out a three-set win against Summerland, earning a spot in the playoff round rather than a long car ride home.

Saturday morning paired the Royals against Penticton Secondary in the crossover match.

The Royals played passionately and defeated the No. 2 seed from the other pool.

In the semifinals, the Royals fell in straight sets to the stronger George Elliot Coyotes.

The bronze medal match featured a rematch against Sa-Hali.

The Royals played an inspired game and defeated the Sabres in three sets to take bronze.

Devon Hofsink was a blocking and hitting force for the Royals.  Shaun Huizinga delivered on point sets while Tanner Witt was a digging machine.  Andrew Taylor excelled from the service line.

With the finish, the Royals earned a berth to the junior provincials in West Kelowna Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 1-3.

JUNIOR GIRLS

Seaton Sonics and Vernon Panthers were among five teams from the Okanagan to advance to the B.C. junior girls volleyball championships.

Seaton lost 25-13, 25-16 to Kelowna Secondary in the Okanagan Valley final.

The Panthers placed fifth with the top-five teams advancing to the provincials.

The defending Valley champion Sonics beat George Elliot Coyotes of Lake Country 25-21, 25-13, Westsyde Blue Wave of Kamloops 25-14, 25-22 and Penticton Lakers 25-21, 25-12 in pool play, which put them in first place.

After taking care of the Summerland Rockets in the crossover match, Seaton beat the Sa-Hali Sabres of Kamloops 25-18, 25-12, avenging a loss to the Sabres at the UBCO tournament earlier in the month.

“It was the best game of the weekend,” said Seaton coach Fane Triggs. “We changed up our defene and we were able to slow down Sa-Hali’s very talented power hitter.”

Gabby Triggs and Hailey Morris created a strong offence for Seaton with excellent kills. Maisa Orosz and Kaia Barker managed some key blocks.

Libero Megan Sherwood had some key digs that kept balls in play and setter Marika Ternan mixed up the offence, which included key sets for a back row attack.

“I was very excited by the high level of play the team demonstrated in winning all our games and getting the job done in two sets,” said Fane Triggs. “All the players have improved so much over the season and worked really hard, so it’s rewarding to see the girls do well enough to make it to the provincials.”

KSS, Westsyde and Sa-Hali also qualified for the provincials.