Facing a nemesis who seemed to have their number all season long, the Langley Fundamental Titans came through in the clutch.
“To lose to a team that win times, we were pretty happy to win,” said Titans coach Dan Johnson.
His junior boys volleyball team faced the Langley Christian Lightning in the district championship game at the Langley Events Centre field house on Nov. 7.
The Titans had won the first meeting of the season between the two rivals, but then lost the next four matches.
That included a regular season game the week before to decide first place in the district heading into playoffs as Langley Christian won 3-0.
And the district final was a back and forth battle.
Langley Fundamental took the first set 25-23, but Langley Christian responded by taking the next two sets, 25-12 and 25-15.
Facing elimination, the Titans won the fourth set 25-15.
But in the deciding set, they found themselves down 10-5 before rallying back to square things up at 13. Both teams had chances for the win, but in the end, the Titans won 18-16.
“The guys played well, but it could have gone either way,” Johnson said.
“It was pretty crazy we are both pretty evenly matched.”
On total points, the Lightning actually finished ahead 104-101.
Johnson said it was big for his team to knock off a team as talented and strong as the Lightning.
“Our boys, in the past when they have played Langley Christian, have been very tight, just nervous,” he said.
“We talked this week (and) I told the guys this is just a fun game to be a part of.”
With both teams guaranteed a spot at the Fraser Valley championships — which run Nov. 15 and 16 at Langley Christian School — Johnson said he told his team to relax and have fun.
“I just wanted them to play loose but intense,” he explained.
Talent is not a question with the team.
Four of the players, and one from Langley Christian, played club volleyball last season under Johnson with the Force U14 team.
The team won the club provincial championships and finished second at the Western Canadian championships.
