The McRoberts Strikers will begin defence of their Richmond Senior Girls Volleyball Championship with some serious competition already under their belts.
The Strikers were at the annual UBC Mizuno Girls High School Tournament that featured many of the top schools in B.C. at all tiering levels.
The Strikers reached the gold championship bracket where they opened with a round of 16 win over Langley’s DW Poppy before bowing out to eventual champion Oak Bay.
Now the girls turn their attention to Tuesday’s league opener at Hugh Boyd — one of three matches taking place throughout the city. MacNeill visits MacNeill and McMath hosts Steveston-London to round out the schedule. All matches start at 5:30 p.m.
League play continues through to early November when the Richmond Championship will take place before teams head to their respective tiers for the Lower Mainland playoffs.
The Strikers were third at the Mainland 3A tourney a year ago behind private school powerhouses Little Flower and Crofton House. LFA has already made a big statement by winning the top flight at the UBC Tournament, defeating Belmont in the final. Crofton House was fourth.
Meanwhile, the Richmond Christian Eagles are expected to be the team to beat in city once again in the senior boys league.
The Eagles enjoyed a perfect run a year ago on their way to winning the Lower Mainland 3A title and finishing fifth at the B.C. Championships. They begin the 2018 campaign at No. 6 in the pre-season rankings.
Richmond Christian hosts MacNeill on Tuesday. Other action sees McMath welcoming nearby rival Steveston-London, Boyd visiting McRoberts and Cambie at Richmond High. All matches begin at 7 p.m.
