Monique Tamminga
Times Reporter
Langley Christian Lightning junior girls volleyball team again made history for their school, winning the B.C. provincial championships over the weekend.
The Lightning struck twice in three sets against rival MEI (26-24), (21-25), and (15-7) in a thrilling final played at Seaquam Secondary where the tournament was being held.
“I haven’t wiped the smile off my face since,” said an elated coach Lisa Bontkes.
“It was such a great game to watch and many in the stands said they hadn’t seen that level of play before.”
As a small school playing in Single A, their grouping often gets forgotten or overlooked as competitive.
“We proved to everyone that we are contenders,” said Bontkes. “These girls all deserve so much credit. They have accomplished so much together but they also are a really great group of girls who are kind hearted and don’t get down on each other when they make mistakes,” she said.
The squad made school history as they captured the Fraser Valley championship banner, a first for them at the junior girls level.
The core of the Lightning squad has played for Bontkes at both the club and high school level since Grade 3.
“These girls are so supportive of each other and that’s their success. You can’t improve without taking risks and they have the support of one another to try new things.”
MVP of the tournament went to Lightnings’ Olivia Heinen. First all-stars were Morgan Hindy and Jayden Bontkes.
The Langley Fundamental Titans also played in provincials.
