Morning Star Staff
The Seaton Sonics finished 13th in a field of 32 teams at the B.C. Junior Girls Volleyball Championships in Delta.
The Sonics fell 25-22, 25-23 to the Heritage Park Highlanders of Mission in consolation play Saturday after losing 25-18, 25-15 to the Langley Christian Lightning in championship action.
Seaton placed second in pool play, falling 25-17, 25-14 to White Rock Christian before sweeping Claremont Spartans of Victoria 25-14 and 25-12 on some great serving from Gabby Triggs and Kalli Hamilton-Gee. Dana Kievit pounded some balls and Maisa Orosz had multiple blocks in the middle. Maddie Roemer came on to target the Spartan back row with laser-like precision.
The Sonics owned the court and never allowed Claremont to feel comfortable. Wynter Vanderveen unleashed some good kills and Hannah McCaffrey’s attack posed a few problems for White Rock.
The Sonics downed the Handsworth Royals of North Vancouver 25-21, 25-18 in their final preliminary match, getting sound passing from Rose Harned. Maisa Orosz had a few smashes and Kievit pounded a few balls that were set perfectly from Mason Christensen in the first set.
Alyssa Racine served well and Ella Oduro pounded a few balls in the second set.
“We had some great hustle from the girls and took advantage of several free balls,” said Seaton coach Jeff Huggins, after preliminary play. “They looked confident on the court and finished the day strong.”
The Sonics are also coached by Kendra Kryszak. They won the Okanagan Valley title last weekend, stopping the Mt. Boucherie Bears of West Kelowna 2-0 in the finals at Seaton.
Meanwhile, Nathan Lee’s Sonics finished 1-4 after two days of play at the provincial junior boys tournament in West Kelowna.
Seaton started the tournament Thursday with a tough three-set loss to Sa-Hali (25-15, 22-25, 13-15). Noah Schneider had to step up and set for the team after setter Landen Harison was unable to play due to an ankle injury suffered on the eve of the tournament.
“Schneider did a great job after setting for only one set all season,” said Lee.
Seaton then dropped matches to Duchess Park Condors of Prince George and Mt. Baker Trojans of Cranbrook to finish fourth in their pool. Seaton continued strong serving – a trend that began to develop for the squad late in the season.
Outside hitter Ben Poulin was also strong.
On Friday’s consolation side of the draw, Seaton squared off with Seaquam Seahawks of Delta, falling in straight sets 18-25, 22-25.
In their final match Friday, the Sonics started to pull together with a straight-sets victory over David Thompson Trojans of Vancouver (25-20, 25-19).
“Schneider kept David Thompson on their heels with a varied attack, while Nick Magglio and Nick MacGregor provided much needed energy and hard-nosed play at key moments in the match.”
Seaton was looking for revenge in a rematch with Sa-Hali in their final match late Saturday morning.
The Vernon Christian School Royals lost 2-0 to Fernie (25-21, 25-20) in Saturday playoff action at the B.C. Senior A Boys Championships at Abbotsford Christian School.
In Friday play, the Bulkley Valley Lions of Smithers grounded Vernon 2-1 (25-23, 19-25, 16-14), while the Credo Christian Kodiaks of Langley swept the Royals 2-0 (25-23, 25-27).
The opening match jitters got the best of the Royals as they fell in straight sets to Richmond Christian Eagles 25-13, 25-21. Player of the match Jacob Molitwenik turned in a solid game in the middle.with seven kills on 15 attempts.
The second match had the Royals play their north zone rivals, the No. 2- ranked Revelstoke Avalanche. Vernon had not beaten them yet this year, but the Royals came out determined and defeated the Avs in straight sets 27-25, 25-21.
Outside hitter Caleb Haberstock had an impressive back-row dig game to lead the Royals. Molitwenik led the attack with 12 kills on 16 chances, while Landon Matties chipped in with seven of 15. Matties served the last two points.
Player of the match Mitchell Kroeker rang up four kills in the late stages of the match. Setter Brennan Seltzer had 29 assists.
“This was a game the boys really wanted to win,” said Royals’ coach Chris Bannick. “They played error free in the late stages of both sets that brought them success. I am very proud of their effort. It was a tough but rewarding match.”
The final match in pool play Thursday had the Royals defeat the Cedars Christian Eagles of Prince George 25-17, 25-21.
Back-up setter and player of the match Ben Molitwenik had a solid serving game. His jump serves kept the Eagles receivers off balance and allowed the Royals offence to roll. Middles Jacob Molitwenik and Matties went 8-for-16 and 5-for-12 on kills, respectively.
