The Princess Margaret Mustangs senior girls volleyball team stepped up against a stronger school in Kamloops last weekend.
The Mustangs, a 2A school, finished third among 32 teams, which featured 3A and 4A schools at Thompson Rivers University.
“We wanted to do well and prove to ourselves that we knew we could compete with bigger schools,” said Mustangs coach Shawn Lum, who guided the senior boys volleyball team to provincial bronze last season. “We have some players on our team that are playing positions that they do not normally play so it was also about getting them experience playing in these positions and getting comfortable.”
The result showed the Mustangs that they possess talent and are capable of doing well. The tournament became a confidence booster for a lot of players, and as Lum added, has them hungry to be better for the next tournament, scheduled at Kelowna’s Aberdeen Hall, this weekend.
It will be a different season for the Mustangs, who switched to a Kelowna league this season as Lum said making the move was in the best interest of the players. It was a decision based on the fact if the Mustangs remained in their usual AA South Okanagan league, they would have little competition.
Among their season goals is to improve as players and learn to play with each other.
“As for big picture, and for the season, we feel that we have a strong team that can compete provincially,” said Lum.
The leadership roles on the Mustangs won’t rest on the shoulders of a couple of players. Sydney McKinlay leads by example, as does Jordyn Lilley, said Lum. Sisters Shinaz and Fernaaz Johal as well as Leighton Vaillancourt and Laura Ciancone bring energy.
“We have so many leaders,” said Lum.
The Mustangs next league game is Oct. 7 at Aberdeen Hall, then on Oct. 14, they face Okanagan Mission, IHS on Oct. 21 and KCS on oct. 28 for their final league game. The Mustangs will play in Penticton on Halloween weekend as the Pen High Lakers host a tournament. The Valley Championship are the weakend of Nov.13-14 with provincials at George Elliot Nov. 26-18.