The Fulton Maroons are making some serious early noise in the senior boys volleyball world.
Richard Bedard’s crew placed fourth in the 18-team Capilano University Blues high school tournament in North Vancouver. The Maroons were third in the 10-team MEI Eagles event the prior weekend.
The Maroons, who were the only AA team in the final four, lost in three sets to the Oak Bay Bays in the semifinals.
Fulton won their pool play with two-set wins over the Delta Pacers, Richmond Christian Warriors and G.P. Vanier Towhees of Courtenay.
The Maroons then demolished the Seaquam Seahawks of Delta 25-12, 25-13 in the quarterfinals before falling 2-1 to the Fraser Heights Firehawks of Surrey.
“It has been a great start to the season, but there is always room for improvement,” said Bedard. “We are carrying five Grade 11s and four Grade 12s so we will have a good core for next year as well.”
In senior girls action, the Vernon Christian Royals won the Gold Division of the UBC Okanagan Invitational Saturday in Kelowna.
In a rematch from their final preliminary game, VCS overcame quick starts by the Grand Forks Wolves to earn a two-game sweep (25-23, 25-21).
“Rebecca Vanderdeen was a hitting powerhouse for us on Saturday,” said head coach Jason Reedyk. “Strong setting from Hannah Podolski and good passing from Hannah Christensen made a huge difference.”
The Royals opened Saturday’s playoff round by wrangling the Princeton Rebels 2-0 (25-23, 25-13), setting up a semifinal tilt with the Charles Bloom Timberwolves of Lumby.
Vernon Christian faced some good serving from the Wolves but responded with a strong attack to take it 25-17, 25-22.
The Maroons iced the L.V. Rogers Bombers of Nelson 2-0 (25-19, 25-16) to claim the consolation side of the Tier 2 event at UBCO.
Fulton ranked second in pool play, defeating AAA NorKam Saints of Kamloops (25-22, 25-11) and AA G.W. Graham Grizzlies of Chilliwack (25-14 25-10), and bowing to AAAA Mt. Boucherie Bears of West Kelowna (16-25, 24-26).
In the quarterfinals, the Maroons fell 2-1 to the AAA Valleyview Vikings of Kamloops (14-25, 25-21, 15-9). In the consolation draw, Fulton grounded Kelowna’s Aberdeen Hall Gryphons 2-0 (25-20, 25-10) to set up the tilt against the Bombers.
Fulton battled the Revelstoke Rams in North Zone league play Tuesday night.
The Cedars Christian Eagles of Prince George swept the Mt. Sentinel Wildcats of South Slocan 3-0 in Saturday’s final of the Vernon Christian Royals senior boys invitational.
The Royals stopped the Kelowna Christian Knights and Mt. Sentinel in pool play before dropping a close three-set affair to Cedars Christian.
The Eagles iced Chris Bannick’s Royals 3-1 (25-20, 25-17, 25-27, 25-22) in the semifinals. Outside hitters Cole Kitagawa and Caleb Haberstock played marvellous games for Vernon.
In the bronze-medal match, the Royals bowed 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-22) to the Knights. Right side Landon Matties and middles Tim Bartel and Jacob Molitwenik added bold blocking throughout the tournament. Vernon setter Colton Doesburg was named to the all-star team.
