Defending champion McRoberts Strikers will be the overwhelming favourites when the Richmond Senior Volleyball Championships get underway next week.
McRoberts senior boys team has been a fixture in the provincial AA rankings all season. The Strikers rolled to a 7-0 record in league play and dropped just six sets in the process. They will host the city boys playoffs, starting Monday. The championship match is slated for 8 p.m. Thursday. Also competing are: Richmond High (5-2), Cambie (4-3), McMath (4-3), Richmond Christian (4-3), Steveston-London (3-4), Burnett (1-7) and McNeill (0-7).
Meanwhile, it has been another perfect 10-0 run for the McRoberts senior girls team, losing just four sets throughout the regular season.
What makes the run impressive is having just five returning players — Mikaela Cadorette, Sophia Chang, Amanda Wei and Grade 11s Madeline Mathews and Chloe Mathews. The girls are coached by Patrick Wong who guided Richmond Christian to the provincial AA tournament a year ago.
This time, he is hoping to lead the Strikers to repeat as champions at both the Richmond and Vancouver and District playoff tournaments, then head to Kelowna for the AAA provincials.
“We are looking forward to reaching our full potential and working together as a team as we and move forward to the playoffs,” said Chloe Mathews, the team’s captain.
The McNair Marlins (9-1) have also enjoyed a stellar season in girls play. Other contenders include McMath (7-2), Richmond Christian (6-3) and McNeill (6-4). Rounding out the top eight are Steveston-London (5-5), Palmer (4-5) and Cambie (3-6).
The girls tournament takes place at McMath, with the final also slated for 8 p.m. Thursday.
