McMath Wildcats capped a remarkable season by nearly being crowned the best Grade 8 girls volleyball in the province.
An action-packed post-season schedule concluded last Saturday at Seaquam Secondary in North Delta where the Wildcats fell to Notre Dame in three sets in the championship game at the inaugural B.C. Grade 8 Girls Championships.
McMath stepped right into the tournament a day after winning the Vancouver and District Championships at Burnaby North. The intense schedule had finally taken its toll by the time the Wildcats had reached the final.
They won the first game before the Jugglers responded to win the next two, including a 15-9 result in the decisive set.
“Notre Dame's season ended the first week of November, whereas we came off V and D's on Thursday and ran out of gas by late Saturday afternoon,” noted McMath coach Tanya Kippan. “Three hard days in a row was quite taxing on the girls. They fought hard and battled to end, but you could see the mental and physical fatigue start to set in.”
Caitlin Kippan earned tournament all-star honours that saw one player from each of the 12 teams recognized. Marina Radocaj and Maya Zawislak were equally deserving.
The Wildcats also feature: Madi Wong, Brooklyn Sparolin,Millie Montgomery, Sydni Smithers-Lillis, Madeline Fernie, Anna Vorontsova, Abby Young, Marley Goodhew, Olivia Cox, Natasha Fahlman, Katie Flynn and Amelia Spiteri.
