The Volleytech 99s swept their way to the 2016 B.C. Volleyball provincial championship in Richmond 25-22 and 25-11 over Burnaby’s Apex Flex on April 17.
The squad brought Penticton’s Volleytech Volleyball Club its first-ever medal home in 18 years.
“This was a culmination of four years of hard work,” said Volleytech 99s coach Steve Kentel. “It’s an exciting time. To get to the top of it, it’s a lot of work.”
In their previous meetings against the Apex Volleyball Club, Volleytech was 2-1. Kentel said they were expecting a much tougher match in the final.
“Our girls played very well,” said Kentel, adding the Flex may have been tired from their previous match.
The Volleytech 99s went 6-0 in the provincial championship. They opened with a 2-1 win over Surrey’s Seaside Surf. Their next victory was 2-1 over Richmond’s Air Attack, then another match against Apex Flex winning 2-1. In quarter-final action, the Volleytech 99s defeated Abbotsford’s Elevate 2-0. In semifinal play, Volleytech swept aside Seaside Surf 2-0.
“Penticton is pretty small when we’re talking about going up against teams from Burnaby, Richmond, North Van, Chilliwack, Abbotsford,” he said. “That’s where all the major competition comes from. It’s a big thing to go up against the big clubs.”
Kentel said the Richmond Oval made for a great experience for the athletes as the event had 16 courts going on at once.
“The excitement there is amazing,” said Kentel.
The Volleytech 99 players come from Summerland Secondary School, Princess Margaret and Pen High. Kentel said the championship experience will build them up for their upcoming high school season. He also hopes this will launch them towards playing opportunities in college or university.
The Volleytech 99s will play a final tournament in Oregon State May 6-8. The Volleytech Volleyball Club has teams in five age groups of U13 to U17.