Revenge was sweet for the Princess Margaret Mustangs junior boys’ volleyball team during Mustang Mania.
After losing to the Kelowna Secondary School Owls earlier in the tournament during the weekend, the Mustangs met their Okanagan rivals in the final and won 25-18 and 25-23. That was the third tournament victory of the season for the Mustangs. It’s the 12th time the Mustangs have won their host tournament.
The home team got their second shot against the Owls after advancing to the top of the power pool.
Colton Van Camp was selected the Workhorse Award winner for his strong setting and tireless work ethic. Spencer Kingzett was awarded Player of the Match as he led the final in spike kills.
The Mustangs reached the final by defeating city rivals Pen High in the semifinal 25-13 and 25-17. Mustangs coach John Buckley said Kyle Kohlhauser and Spencer Kingzett proved too much too handle as outside hitters leading the tournament in attack kills.
The Mustangs began with victories against W.L. Seaton Secondary School Sonics from Vernon and the South Kamloops Titans.
“The Grade 9s have really started to improve their skills and understanding of our system as Jacob Winstone, Gurk Klar, Jake MacLeod, Brett VanOs, Cam Kapusty and Darian Johnson all contributed to the victories,” said Buckley.
The Mustangs also defeated St. George’s from Vancouver 25-18 and 25-10.
The Mustangs enjoyed a strong finish in league play as they won the Central Okanagan League with a 17-1 record. They also went undefeated against Pen High and Summerland in the South Okanagan Zone league with a 20-0 record. Next up is South Zone Championships this Thursday against the Pen High Lakers at Pen High. Find full story at www.pentictonwesternnews.com.
Junior Girls
The girls made their third consecutive tournament final on the coast last weekend, finishing second among 15 teams at North Surrey Secondary. The Mustangs defeated D.W. Poppy Secondary from Langley in the quarter-final and Coquitlam’s Riverside in the semifinal. They lost in the final to North Vancouver’s Handsworth.
“Jaquelyn Ford continued to work hard with a solid setting performance while Taylor Corrie led the team in offense as she dominated from the power hitter position,” said Lakers coach Rich Corrie.
Also having strong performances for the Mustangs were Sydney McKinlay putting up big blocks in the middle while Kenzi Haberstock continued her aggressive play on defense. Gillian Kennedy stepped up on the offensive attack.
The girls clinched first in the 10-team South Zone going undefeated and winning 37 of 43 games during the season.
The junior girls host the South Zone playoffs at 4 and 5 p.m. The top two teams qualify for the Okanagan Valley Championships on Nov. 16 and 17 in Kelowna.