For the first time since 2013, the Queen Margaret’s School Royals are the junior B Mid Island girls volleyball champions.
After a perfect regular season, the Royals finished first at the Mid Island tournament hosted by Brentwood College School on Nov. 17.
“This QMS team has been really consistent all season,” QMS coach Marlene Donaldson said. “What stood out for me was their strong bond, positivity and passion to constantly improve. They went undefeated during regular season play, so they entered the tournament with confidence and excitement.”
The Royals opened pool play with a convincing 25-2, 25-17 win over Brentwood C. Against Queen of Angels, the Royals lost the opening set 25-19, but refocused and won the remaining games 25-8 and 15-7. A 25-11, 25-16 win over Chemainus sent QMS to the final against Brentwood B.
“We knew the other team was going to be good,” Royals team captain Ana Paola Bres Martinez recalled. “So we knew our team had to be a talkative, positive group on the court if we wanted to win. We reminded ourselves that it was only a game, to have fun and prove we deserved to be there. I think we did that.”
The plan was successful as QMS defeated Brentwood B in the championship match.
“The girls fully embraced our volleyball philosophy and executed it well,” Donaldson said. “Good passing and strong teamwork resulted in their victory in straight sets. I’m really proud of every person on this team.”
