The Mark Isfeld senior girls volleyball team reached its goal for the season with an eighth-place finish at the triple-A provincial championship in Powell River.
The Ice lost its opener Thursday in three sets to Dawson Creek but rebounded to beat Elgin Park of Surrey (the eventual bronze medal winner) in three sets. The Ice finished the day with a win over Brooks Secondary, the host school.
Isfeld made it three wins in a row Friday by defeating Vernon in straight sets. The win guaranteed the girls a top-eight finish. Later Friday, the Ice lost in four sets to Little Flower Academy of Vancouver. On Saturday, they lost to WL Seaton of Vernon and Vancouver’s Magee.
Outside hitter Mia Barber, playing right side at the tourney, was a second-team all-star selection. Team captain Sophie Bibault (left side) received an honourable mention for her strong showing.
“They represented Isfeld very well,” said Kurt Stushnoff, who has coached the team the past three years. He was assisted this year by former Isfeld player Erin Buttnor. “I’m extremely proud of them. They really came together as a team.”
Isfeld’s senior girls’ volleyball team has qualified for provincials the past four years. The Ice placed 10th in 2015, fifth in 2016 and fourth in 2017.
In what might have been the highlight of the season, Isfeld qualified for this year’s tournament by placing third at the highly competitive Island Championships behind Nanaimo District Secondary School and Carihi. Nanaimo wound up 10th at B.C.’s while Carihi lost in the final to defending champion Crofton House of Vancouver.
