By Bob Carter
The Big Kahuna BC Volleyball Championships can be an intimidating ride for some teams. The George Elliot Coyotes, though, have their eyes wide open already.
If they qualify, as expected, they should be comfortable when the four-day competition begins Nov. 30 at the Langley Events Centre.
Sixth-ranked George Elliot, which fields an all-grade 12 starting lineup, is directed by setter Morgan Nichols, a Team BC player who has signed with UBCO.
Not only did they place seventh in AA last year with a largely grade 11 group, they’ve played a demanding schedule this season that has helped them to learn and gauge the strength of many of BC’s top teams.
George Elliot finished second to AAA top-ranked Kelowna in the Penticton tournament, tied for third at the MEI tournament and made it to the quarterfinals of last weekend’s Best of the West event in Kelowna. In the Kelowna tournament, the Okanagan team went 2-1 in Pool B, which consisted of four ranked squads.
“We’ve been up and down,” coach Chris Frehlick said. “We played very well against Mount Boucherie and College Heights (both pool victories).” The team also lost to highly rated AA Pacific Academy, which went on to win the tournament.
The Coyotes defeated Louis St. Laurent in their first playoff match before falling to two-time defending AA champ MEI in the quarters. Frehlick said the Eagles “aren’t as strong as some years,” but have a dynamic force in sub-6-foot attacker Colton Loewen, the AA MVP last season. “He’s amazing.”
Chris Frehlick coaching his George Elliott Coyote’s team
Sixth-ranked George Elliot, which fields an all-grade 12 starting lineup, is directed by setter Morgan Nichols, a Team BC player who has signed with UBCO. “He’s been very strong,” Frehlick said. “He’s athletic, can get to the ball quickly and sometimes makes our serve-receive look better than it is. He’s a good all-around player.”
Right-side Flynn McCarthy is also having a robust season, and Frehlick said the 6-6 hitter could be performing at the university level next year as well.
While Frehlick is pleased with the duo’s play, he thinks his team needs “some more balance.”
That might develop as the season continues. Although the Best of the West came near the season’s mid-point, Frehlick doubts it’s a true barometer of relative strength.
“It’s a little early. Teams are still experimenting,” he said. “They’re changing players from position to position, trying to find the best lineup.”
With zone playoffs only about a month away, the Coyotes and other teams will learn the important truths soon enough.
(Bob Carter can be reached at robertfcarter@shaw.ca)
