A sweep of the Kalamalka Lakers clinched the AA Okanagan Valley championship for the Princess Margaret Mustangs senior girls volleyball team.
The Mustangs came out hard in the opening set winning 25-12, then had closer victories of 25-19 and 25-22.
“The girls were very focused throughout the weekend and didn’t take any matches for granted,” said Mustangs coach Tim Haberstock.
The Mustangs attack was strong with Sidney McKinlay, Megan Admussen-Blair and Taylor Corrie leading in hitting, while Courtney Olexa was a defensive specialist with her blocking and Caitlin Neary made excellent passes. The Mustangs also benefitted from receiving bench support as the players were unselfish and the results reflected that.
The Mustangs, who advance to provincials on Vancouver Island at Brentwood College Nov. 26-29, opened the tournament in Vernon defeating the George Elliott Coyotes, Westsyde Whundas and Pleasant Valley Sinners to earn a bye into the semifinals. The Mustangs then faced Fulton Secondary Lady Maroons and lost a tight opening set. The Mustangs rebounded to win the second and third sets.
Senior boys
The Mustangs boys advanced to provincials after finishing second in the valley championships held at George Elliot.
The Mustangs defeated Okanagan Mission Huskies 2-1, then the Valleyview Vikings 2-0 and the Seaton Sonics 2-0. The Mustangs faced OKM in the semifinals and swept the best-of-five series. That pitted the Mustangs in the finals against Fulton Secondary, ranked second in the province. After a decisive opening set victory, the Mustangs lost by two points in the second set; with another close loss in the third set. In the fourth, the Mustangs trailed by five points.
“Kyle Kohlhauser made some amazing digs and finished with some well placed kills,” said Mustangs coach Shawn Lum, adding that the Mustangs started pulling ahead and won the set by three points.
In the fifth and deciding set, the Mustangs tied the match at 11 before bowing 15-13.
“The boys played very well and I am proud of all them,” said Lum, whose team will now go to Langley.
Junior boys
The Mustangs junior boys volleyball team placed third in the Okanagan Valley championship, which qualified them for the provincial championship Nov. 20-22. The Mustangs won four of six games.
“Reece Haberstock stood out with consistent setting and Jivraj Grewal had some strong net play on Friday night,” said Mustangs coach Rich Corrie. “Nick Lozinski had some impressive point scoring runs at the service line.”
On Saturday, the Mustangs’ second place pool finish matched them against the Pen High Lakers. It was a crucial match for them to have a chance to advance to provincials. The Mustangs won in three sets, prevailing in the final 15-8 for their fifth straight win against the Lakers.
Hunter Linder had his best match of the year with many successful kills.
After losing in the semi-final to the Kelowna Secondary Owls in straight sets, the Mustangs defeated the George Elliot Coyotes 25-20 and 25- 21 to take third. Todd Corrie was a standout defensively and offensively in the final game of the championships.