Morning Star Staff
The Seaton Sonics needed one more win Saturday to reach the gold-medal match in the B.C. Senior AAA Girls Volleyball Championships at Okanagan Mission Secondary in Kelowna.
Jeff Huggins’ Sonics, who are ranked No. 5 in the province, faced top-rated Brooks Thunderbirds of Powell River in a late Saturday morning seminal. Brooks won 25-23 and 25-21 with the Sonics taking Game 3 in the best-of-five 25-20 just before press time.
The Little Flower Academy Angels of Vancouver met the Timberline Wolves of Campbell River in the other semi.
Seaton opened the Friday playoffs by stopping the Langley Saints 3-0 (27-25, 25-15, 25-23) with Dana Kievit supplying six kills. Sam Scott was devastating with her short float serve, while Ava Haldane was a blocking force as the Sonics kept Langley off balance. Scott and Rose Harned propelled the offence with some fantastic passing.
Seaton advanced to the Sweet 16 semifinals with a marathon 3-2 (30-28, 13-25, 26-24, 17-25, 15-6) victory over sixth-ranked Caledonia Kermodes of Terrace Friday night.
“The girls came out ready to play and withheld a strong push from the Kermodes to capture the match,” said Huggins. “Sam Scott came up huge with 13 kills and 14 serves. Dana Kievit was on fire and had numerous huge blasts from the left side and great serving.
“Kalli Hamilton-Gee, setter and Emma Haner did a fantastic job delivering the ball. Rose Harned and Maddie Findlay-Procter secured the back row with tremendous digs. Kenzie Nieuwenhuis and Drew Barker provided some great support helping stem the Kermode attack.
“The middles, Ava Haldane and Ella Oduro, were towers of strength with timely kills and momentous blocks that invigorated the team. The Sonics demonstrated grit and determination to dominate the fifth set.”
In Langley, the Fulton Maroons lost 2-1 (24-26, 25-15, 15-11) to the Prince Charles Comets of Creston, while Seaton fell 2-0 (29-27, 25-19) to the Richmond Colts in Saturday consolation side playoff action of the Big Kahuna Senior AA Boys Volleyball Championships.
The Duchess Park Condors of Prince George swept Fulton 3-0 (25-22, 25-20m 25-16), while the Langley Christian Lightning zapped Seaton 3-0 (25-12, 25-22, 25-18) in opening playoff matches Friday at the Events Centre.
The College Heights Cougars surprised the No. 1 Pacific Academy Breakers of Surrey in a thrilling five-set semifinal. The Cougars played the gold-medal match versus the No. 2 Lightning Saturday night.
Langley Christian beat Fraser Valley rival MEI Eagles of Clearbrook in four sets, using its explosive front line to pull away after the teams were tied after two sets.
The Vernon Christian Royals took on Richmond Christian late Saturday morning in consolation play at the B.C. Senior A Girls tournament in Kelowna. Vernon earlier defeated Stratford Hall of Vancouver.
