Even with one of the smaller student populations at the 40-team event, the Kelowna Christian Knights more than held their own at the UBC Okanagan Heat senior girls volleyball tournament.
The Knights, ranked No. 1 at the A level in B.C., made it as far as the final before succumbing to the South Kamloops (AAAA) Titans in three sets (21-25, 25-23, 15-13).
Kamloops was led to victory by Junior Heat Volleyball Club standout, Mieke DuMont, who named the MVP.
KCS had beaten South Kamloops earlier in two sets earlier in the tournament on the way to winning their pool.
The Knights then defeated Selkirk, Vernon and Cedars Christian in the playoffs on the way to the silver medal effort final.
KCS coach Rob Smith was pleased with his team’s effort throughout the weekend.
“I thought the girls played really well,” said Smith. “It was fun to see them in front of their home crowd, doing well and enjoying it. Sometimes they don’t perform well with everyone watching and all the nerves, but they handled it well.”
The Knights placed two players on the all-star team—Micaylee Pubcilowki and Cheyenne Heidebrecht.
The Kelowna Owls took the bronze medal defeating Cedars Christian in the third-place final 2-0 (25-10, 25-22).
KSS won its pool, then advanced to the semifinals before losing to South Kam.
Kristen Watson and Tessa Neil were named to the all-star team.
Immaculata tied for 11th place overall. Mt. Boucherie was fourth in the Blue Division (2nd), while OKM tied for seventh, Rutland was 11th and George Elliot was 13th.
This weekend, KSS will host the Best of the West boys and girls tournaments at various venues around the city.