Fulton Maroons captured silver and Seaton Sonics took bronze at the Okanagan Valley Senior Boys AA volleyball finals in Oliver.
Both teams punched their tickets to the B.C. AA championships Dec. 1-3 at the Langley Events Centre.
With the silver medal, the Maroons earn a trip to the B.C. championships Nov. 29-Dec. 3 at the Langley Events Centre.
“We are very excited about qualifying this year as the AA division is very competitive,” said Fulton head coach Dan Currie, joined on the bench by his son, Maroons alumnus Kristian.
Fulton lost 25-20, 25-18 to Lake Country’s George Elliot Coyotes – ranked No. 5 in B.C. – before downing the Valleyview Vikings of Kamloops 25-12, 25-14, 25-6.
In the semifinals, the Maroons defeated the host South Okanagan Hornets 25-15, 25-14, 25-12, then got swept in the final by the Coyotes, 25-15, 25-16, 25-20.
Fulton captain Landon Currie has been selected to play in the B.C. High School Boy’s All-Star Game Dec. 16 at UBC.
Connor Kozak’s Sonics beat Valleyview in straight sets, getting strong serving from Noah Schnider, Kaiden Parton and Nakoda Parker, and strong offensive play from middles Qaine Parker and Tyler Gardiner.
Seaton then swept Kamloops’ Sa-Hali Sabres with Gavin Huggins and Landon Harrison doing an excellent job of running the offence.
The Sonics swept the Princess Margaret Mustangs of Penticton, thanks in part to superb digs and consistent passing from libero Elijah Burnham. Wing hitters Trent Abrams and Kai Preskar had their best games of the tournament with several kill shots and blocks.
The results left Seaton to face the Coyotes in the semis, with George Elliot sweeping Seaton. The Sonics then won the bronze medal match, 25-12, 23-25, 25-19, 25-22, over the Hornets. Outside hitter Ben Poulin, along with Qaine and Nakoda Parker, played their best game of the Valleys.
The Vernon Christian School Royals’ senior boys team begins play Thursday at the 12-team B.C. A championships in Terrace.
The Royals are in a pool with defending provincial champion, and tournament hosts, Centennial Christian Seahawks, Credo Christian Kodiaks of Langley, Duncan Christian Chargers, Carver Christian Phoenix of Burnaby and the Selkirk Storm of Kimberley.