Posted on Nov 29, 2019 in Press Release, RESULTS
LANGLEY- By Al Shill
Earl Marriott vs Riverside in the quarterfinal. Photo by Vancouver Sports Pictures.
Earl Marriott continued their winning ways to start Friday beating a hard working Riverside Team (25-17, 25-17, 25-17). Riverside brought a strong effort- but in the end were no match for an experienced Earl Marriott team who are trying to repeat as AAA Champions. Setter Josh Quiring spread Marriott’s offence throughout the match leading a balanced attack with hitters Ryan Brown, Talon McMillan and Ben Francois.
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OKM coach Paul Thiessen cheering his team on during the AAA play-offs.
The match of the morning however, belonged to Oak Bay and Kelowna’s Okanagan Mission. The young OKM squad with only one gr. 12 got off to a slow start losing (17-25). Coach Paul Thiessen felt
“we started to assert ourselves by the end of game one.”
Game two was different story has got out to an early lead and never looked back.
“All year long when we’ve been in front we’ve rarely been beaten,” added Thiessen.
OKM know they’re now up against a strong Earl Marriott squad but coach Thiessen says he’s hoping the play of his young squad can “build some confidence” and “take a game.”
The moment OKM wins in an upset against Oak bay. (Vancouver Sports Pictures)
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By Mike Jamieson
The Claremont Spartans came out on fire in their quarterfinal match up with the Argyle Pipers. Claremont is back at provincials after finishing 3rd last year hungry for more. The Spartans only lost two players from last years squad to graduation and that experience showed on the court as they came away with a 25-17, 27-25, 25-17 victory.
Claremont’s Nik Babaeff in the middle hitting inside of 3 meters.
Claremont coach Shon Ryan credited the play of his middle blocker Ethan Boag who stands an imposing 6’9. Claremont’s setter Crash Wergeland distributed the ball beautifully throughout the match to keep Argyle guessing where the attack would come from next.
Argyle will now play off for fifth but the future is bright for the Pipers as their team has 4 grade 10 players. They will be a team to keep an eye out for in the years to come.
In the last quarter-final the Kelowna Owls took on the Eric Hamber Griffins. Eric Hamber gave Kelowna everything they could handle on the back of their star power hitter 6’2 Lucas Yang. Fortunately Kelowna was able to prevail 25-20, 25-17, 26-28, 25-22.
Eric Hamber’s Alex Keng – ready to dig.
Kelowna got strong play from their setter Braden White and towering right side Tyson Embree. Kelowna coach Mike Sodaro was relieved to see his team regain its form after a slow start to pool play. Looking ahead to their semi final matchup with Claremont Sodaro hopes his team can continue to play at their best and get a shot at a medal.
SEMI-FINALS TONIGHT @ 7 pm @ LEC MAIN GYM
