Princess Margaret Mustang volleyball teams utilized home court advantage Thursday to win the South Central championship.
With berths into the Valley championship as the motivator, the senior girls defeated the George Elliot Coyotes in three straight sets, while the junior boys defeated the Pen High Lakers in a best-of-three showdown.
“It was a good night for Maggie,” said Mustangs senior girls coach Tim Haberstock.
Mustangs junior boys coach Rich Corrie said it was a hard-fought win against the Lakers, who won the first set 25-22, then lost 25-21 and 15-12.
“The boys started the match a little nervous and tentative, but came back in the second set, led by the aggressive defence and attacking from Todd Corrie,” he said.
The Mustangs received strong net play from Reece Haberstock,who won key points in the must-win situations. Corrie also praised Graedon Freeman for his ability to block well in the third set. Lakers coach Annika Everton said games against the Mustangs are always hard fought and evenly matched. What hurt the Lakers were key errors at critical points. While the Lakers were not able to defeat the Mustangs, they earned the second berth for the Valley Championship by defeating the Oliver Hornets 25-13, 25-11.
“The team played much better in the second set with some great blocks from Josh Gowe and big hits from Nicholas Everton,” said Everton. “Setter Kobe Loewen also deserves credit for his smart play and good decision making.”
Another Mustangs volleyball team, the senior boys, won the South Central League and the zone playoffs to advance to the valley championship. The junior girls took second in the zone and playoffs.
The Valley Championship will be held in Kamloops Nov. 14-15.
