By Bob Carter
Abby Christian Celebrating during the match. Photo by VancouverSportsPhotos.
Anthony Jansen was looking for a smooth recovery by his Abby Christian team as the Kahunaverse Sports BC Volleyball Championships opened Wednesday at Langley Events Centre.
It didn’t quite happen.
ACS, last year’s AA runner-up, had stumbled late in the season, finishing fourth in the Fraser Valley tournament and dropping to a sixth seed in the BCs.
The Knights won their first two Pool B matches against Richmond Christian and Kelly Road, but not easily.
They beat RCS 25-23, 25-22.
“We were shaky, very nervous,” Jansen said. “The kids are young, so there’s a little fear.”
The Knights, though, got some key kills from standout Cole Brandsma in the first set, overcoming 15-12 and 23-22 deficits. And fellow front-row mates Connor Piers and Joshua Apperloo, a Grade 11, had some big hits to give ACS breathing room in the second.
“Josh will hit any ball,” Jansen said. “He’s got a lot of range.”
Richmond Christian making an attack. Photo by VancouverSportsPhotos.
Richmond Christian scored six straight points in the second set to close to 24-22 before Zach Meinen’s kill clinched it for the Knights.
Jansen said setter Brendan Visser is still working his way back to form after rolling an ankle a few weeks ago.
“The rhythm of the setting needs to be a little better,” he said, “but it’ll get there.”
ACS rallied to beat Kelly Road in its second match 2-1, winning 15-4 in the third.
Surrey Christian also won its first two, defeating Kelly Road and Richmond Christian, both in three sets.
