The only thing more impressive than the Steveston-London Sharks' domination of the Lower Mainland Senior Boys AAA Volleyball Championships might have been their opponent on the other side of the net in the final.
While the No. 3 ranked Sharks confirmed their status as a serious provincial contender in Kelowna next week, they are pleasantly surprised to be joined in the Okanagan city by the McMath Wildcats.
The Steveston school proved to be the story of the tournament, upsetting provincially ranked Burnaby North in pool play then taking out Eric Hamber in the quarter-finals, before finally falling to their nearby rival.
"We were expecting to see Burnaby North (in the final) but McMath is a good team and proved it," said Sharks head coach Edmond Ma. "It's not only our first time going to provincials but I can't recall the last time Richmond had two teams qualify."
Steveston-London did not drop a single set en route to their first Lower Mainland title - defeating Eric Hamber, Gladstone and Burnaby South in pool play, before sweeping Vancouver champions David Thompson and McMath in the playoffs.
Grade 12 twin standouts Ethan and Gabriel Freund were named co-tournament MVPs, while Nicholas Chan was an all-star. The Sharks were coming off a second place finish at the prestigious Thompson Rivers University Tournament in Kamloops.
"We have proven all season we can compete and beat the top teams in the province. Our expectations are high (going to Kelowna)," added Ma.
Meanwhile, the Richmond Christian Eagles are headed to Duncan next week for the provincial girls "A" championships after winning their Lower Mainland zone tournament. The run to the title was capped by a victory over seventh ranked Carver Christian of Burnaby in the final.
Richmond senior girls champion McRoberts also locked up a provincial "AAA" tournament after placing fourth in the Lower Mainland tournament. North Delta's Seaquam secondary school is hosting the provincial "AAA" tourney.
