The Fulton Maroons placed second in their pool at the Okanagan Valley Senior AA Girls Volleyball Championships Friday at Fulton Gym.
Sharon Shaigec’s Maroons faced the George Elliot Coyotes of Winfield in quarterfinal action Saturday. The Kalamalka Lakers won the B Side, earning a bye to the semis.
Fulton opened the eight-team playdown with a 25-14, 25-17 decision over the Merritt Panthers before falling 25-16, 26-24 to Kal. They rebounded by stuffing the Revelstoke Rams 25-17, 25-9.
The Lakers earned other wins over Merritt (25-10, 25-18) and Revelstoke (25-14, 25-14), who placed third and fourth, respectively.
The Princess Margaret Mustangs of Penticton, ranked fourth in B.C., topped the A Side with wins over the Westsyde Whundas of Kamloops, George Elliot and Armstrong’s Pleasant Valley Sinners.
Westsyde, Elliot and PVSS were second, third and fourth, respectively.
“Princess Margaret is looking strong heading into the playoff round,” said Shaigec. “Westsyde, Kalamalka, George Elliot and Fulton are all teams that could take a run at Princess Margaret, but it all depends on which team puts it all together at the right time.”
The Valley champions earn a berth to AA provincials, Nov. 27-29, at Brentwood College, in Mill Bay. The MEI Eagles of Abbotsford will host a wildcard tournament Saturday to determine one additional berth.
Meanwhile, at the Valley senior AA boys championships, hosted by George Elliot, the Maroons won their pool Friday to earn a bye in Saturday’s semifinal.
Fulton recorded wins over the Sa-Hali Sabres of Kamloops (25-13, 25-14), Revelstoke (18-25, 25-14, 15-6) and George Elliot (25-14, 25-10).
The Vernon Christian Royals earned a spot in the Valley senior A girls playoff round with two wins Friday in Clearwater.
The Royals opened by grounding St. Ann’s Crusaders of Kamloops 25-23, 13-25, 15-13.
“We made a lot of uncharacteristic mistakes, but found a way to win,” said coach Jason Reedyk.
In their fifth meeting of the season with Charles Bloom Timberwolves of Lumby, Vernon Christian prevailed 20-25, 25-17, 15-7.
Strong serving and setting from Hannah Podolski, and consistent passing from Hannah Christensen helped secure the win. Rebecca Vander Deen and Claire Oordt-Bosman helped change the momentum with some timely blocks.
The Royals faced provincial No. 1 Immaculata Mustangs of Kelowna Saturday.
