After three days of top quality volleyball, our 2013 National (West) 14U champions were crowned on Sunday right here in BC! British Columbia had an excellent weekend taking home no less than 15 medals including 3 out of the 4 Division titles!
In the 14U Girls Division 1, it was BC team Seaside Wahine who took home gold in front of a huge home crowd! Wahine were perhaps one of the more unknown quantities in the Girls’ draw. Attending few Volleyball BC events, the team had a solid performance at Provincials – knocked out by the eventual Silver medalists Club Gecko in the quarter finals and eventually finishing in 6th place. Those in the know, however, knew that there was more to come from the tall Seaside team and this was clear right from the offset of Nationals. In Friday’s pool play they went unbeaten, overturning the Manitoba #1 ranked squad, Saturday they topped their pool again to set up a quarter final against visiting Ontario team, LVC Intensity. Seaside only needed 2 sets (25-22, 25-22) to set up the semi-final against Alberta #1 Canuck Spark. The game was a real test of character as Spark fought hard and were bitterly disappointed to end on the wrong side of a 16-14 third set finish.
On the other side of the draw, BC #3 Victoria Titans Red won their place to the final in an incredibly tight game against Ducks on a packed Court 5 – reversing the result from the Provincials semi-final only 2 weeks prior. The final, streamed live on www.sportscanada.tv and available now to purchase, was of an impressive standard for this age group with big blocks, hard serves and some last gasp defense. Seaside edged ahead and maintained momentum to win the Championships 25 -20, 25-19!
2013 Provincial Champions Coquitlam Ducks also didn’t go home empty handed as they recovered from their semi-final defeat to take the bronze from Alberta #1 Canuck Spark and ensure a clean sweep of the medals for BC!
Divison 2 Girls was another BC win, this time from Island squad Powell River Aces. Having just missed out on the medals at Provincials placing 4th in Division 2, the team performed excellently to overcome Selkirk Royals from Manitoba on Centre Court. Bronze went to Alberta’s NAVC Pandas.
In Division 3, Seaside Moana completed a dream weekend for the Fraser Valley club taking the Division 3 Gold against 13U squad Altruista Black who coped incredibly well with moving up to the older age group, finishing highest amongst the 13U teams entered. We hope Seaside have enough room in the gym for all the banners and new volleyballs courtesy of headline sponsors Tachikara!
In the Boy’s competition unbeaten BC Provincial Champions Force 14U lined up in the last round of the day against Alberta #1 Canuck Ferta – also unbeaten throughout the weekend and looking very strong.
Watch out for Force next year in the 15U competition, this defeat will surely only make them train harder to ensure the Gold medal comes back to BC in 2014! Bronze was won by Winman Tornadoes in an incredibly exciting game against their other team Winman Warriors in an excellent advert for boys’ volleyball.
For the full results, please click here.
Volleyball BC would like to say a huge thank you to all the athletes, coaches and scorekeepers who attended this weekend and most of all to our hardworking staff who put in long hours always with a smile!
We look forward to seeing you all on the beach soon and back for more club volleyball in the New Year!
Seaside Wahine 14U – National (West) 14U Champions!