The Princess Margaret Mustangs fell short to the Vernon Secondary Panthers in the Lakers Halloween Invitational.
The Panthers beat the Mustangs senior girls volleyball team 2-0 (25-16, 25-16) in what Lakers senior girls coach Bo Boxall described as a “very competitive match” for the championship.
“Maggie looked great throughout the entire weekend and surprised the Mt. Sentinel Wildcats in the semi-finals with their ability to keep a rally alive,” said Boxall, whose team finished sixth.
“Our girls played their best volleyball of the season so far attacking hard and looking to end rally’s with a hit,” said Mustangs coach Tim Haberstock.
The Mustangs, finished first in their pool, opened the playoff draw with a straight sets victory over the Westsyde Whundas 25-18 and 26-14. They then defeated Wildcats in three sets, 32-30, 20-25 and 15-7 to advance to the final.
Mustangs Sydney McKinlay and Megan Admussen-Blair were named to the all-star team.
The Lakers finished sixth after losing to the West Vancouver Highlanders 25-12 and 25-16. The Lakers continued to improve their defensively play.
“We were keeping plays alive that three weeks ago would have ended,” said Boxall, whose team earned a wins over the Whundas and Mt.Boucherie Bears in round robin play to finish third in their pool.
In the playoff draw, the Lakers lost their first match to the Panthers 25-14 and 25-17. The Lakers then defeated the Rutland Voodoos (22-25, 25-22 and 15-8) before bowing to the Highlanders 25-12 and 25-16. Boxall said that Tessa Lannon-Paakspuu showed great leadership on the court and a great desire to keep the ball off the court.
“Her defensive play was inspiring for our entire team,” said Boxall. “In the middle, Grade 11’s Paisley Anderson and Katerina Sergeeva had crucial blocks and kills for the team.”
Ali Vandermey has continued to impress the coaching staff with her progress at the libero position. Next up for the Lakers is a trip to Kamloops on Wednesday to play South Kamloops and Valleyview.
Mustangs earn top five finish
Princess Margaret Mustangs senior boys volleyball team won five of six matches in Kamloops.
Competing in the Thompson Rivers University tournament last weekend, the Mustangs defeated Courtney’s GP Vanier Towhees, Nanaimo’s Woodlands Secondary Eagles, Slocan’s Mt. Sentinel Wildcats, Oliver’s South Okanagan Hornets and Prince George’s DP Todd Trojans. Their only loss was to the Kelowna Secondary Owls.
“Beating bigger schools shows how talented these boys are and the hard work they have put in,” said Mustangs co-coach Shawn Lum, whose group placed fifth out of 22 teams. “We are a AA school and we competed at a tournament with AAA and AA teams. For a small school we did very well. Spencer Kingzett led the Mustangs in kills.