With a district crown tucked into their back pocket, the Moscrop Panthers senior girls volleyball team has the next goal in their sights.
Capturing a berth to the provincials by securing a top-three finish at this week’s Lower Mainland tournament in North Vancouver is front-and-centre.
“The ultimate goal has been to earn a berth in the provincials,” said Panthers coach Lydia Law in an email to the NOW. “Our plan has been to be first in the District and place (top-three) in the Lower Mainlands. We will face some tougher competition (at the Lower Mainlands), including No.1 provincially-ranked Handsworth.”
Every exercise, each point along the journey so far has been with that goal in mind.
In the district final, Moscrop topped Burnaby Mountain 3-0, but the margin narrowed each subsequent set – 25-16, 25-20 and 27-25.
In the final set and without starting leftside hitter Isabelle Cheung, the Panthers started slowly and trailed by seven points. They went on a 12-4 run that put them in the lead, but Mountain matched each Moscrop point down the stretch.
The decisive point was delivered by the skilled blocking of Katherine Fong and Raeanne Sun.
Cheung was lost for the whole match due to a sudden leg cramp, With libero Mari Wong and Sun stepping up as leaders. Both were named to the tournament all-star squad.
Last year’s sixth-place result at the provincials has been a guiding point for the four returning seniors. Getting a chance to better that, despite a lot of new faces, has been a driving force.
This season has been one of building and uniting, said Law, with a team composed of four Grade 12s, eight Gr. 11s and one Gr. 10.
“The challenge we faced this season was to blend the team into one. With most of the players from last year’s team having graduated, the remaining Gr 12s and the predominantly Gr 11 players had to get to know each other on and off the court,” she said.
Some success on the tournament circuit helped the bonding process, too.
“Although we had been winning regular season games and placing nicely in earlier tournaments, the team really came together at our last tournament, which we ended up winning,” said Law. “This was a turning point for the group as they were able to work through critical moments in their court play through trust, communication and support by each team member.”
The key leadership roles fall on the shoulders of setter Emi Wong, Cheung and Sun.
“Isabelle is our team captain and the ‘big gun’ in our offense and a consistent part of our solid defense,” noted the coach. “Emi has been instrumental in setting up great attack opportunities, often from poor contact by other players, as well as, making defensive saves. Raeanne started the season alternating between three different positions (rightside, setter, middle).
“She keeps the team “light” with her sense of humour, but has lately, become one of the strong voices on the court.”
The Lower Mainland tournament began today (Thursday) on the North Shore, and continues Friday, with the semifinals and final going on Saturday.
Provincials are slated for Dec. 3 to 5 in Nanaimo.
