They hovered in the provincial top 10 rankings all season and that’s exactly where the McRoberts Strikers finished up at the B.C. “AA” Boys Volleyball Championships at the Langley Events Centre.
The Lower Mainland and Richmond champions concluded an outstanding season with an eighth place finish after losing a three-set heartbreaker (25-22, 25-27, 15-13) to Lake Country’s George Elliot on Saturday.
The Strikers began the 16-team event seeded ninth and maintained that status after a perfect run in power pool play with straight set wins. That set the stage for a Rond of 16 playoff match-up with Pacific Christian.
The Strikers dropped the opening two sets to the Victoria school before storming back for a dramatic win in five (21-25, 23-25, 26-24, 25-23, 15-8). Second Team Provincial All-Star Jeff Lam led the attack at the net, while liberal Noah Or anchored the back over the last two sets.
McRoberts head coach Daniel Wong said his team was a victim of a somewhat soft schedule over the past few weeks before finally wake up with the season on the line.
“We hadn’t had to play 100 percent for a while,” said Wong. “Down 2-0, our backs were against the wall. We knew if we lose, we go home. So we couldn’t coast anymore.
“We didn’t let them have many easy points. When the whole back row is playing well, it gives everyone more confidence.”
Hopes for a medal would end with a 3-0 (25-13, 25-22, 27-25) loss to No. 1 seed and eventual fourth place finisher Pacific Academy. The Strikers then closed out the championships with a pair of consolation losses, including a 2-1 setback to Langley Fundamental.
The Richmond Colts capped their fine season with a 14th place finish. The No. 2 Lower Mainland representative finished second in its power pool group thanks to wins over WL Seaton and Smithers. The Colts then in fell straight sets to eventual bronze medal winner MEI.
They did manage to beat WL Seaton again in consolation play.
Meanwhile, at the girls “AAA” provincials in Kelowna, the McNair Marlins completed their fine season by placing 15th.
McNair bowed out to eventual bronze medalist Brooks in the round of 16 before dropping matches to Duchess Park and Langley. The closed out the championships Saturday with a win over RE Mountain.
The Marlins were making their first appearance at provincials in recent memory after placing third at the Lower Mainland Championships.
