The Ecole Mark Isfeld junior boys volleyball team finished third at the Vancouver Island championships Nov. 9-10 at Belmont Secondary in Victoria. By placing in the top three, the Ice earned a trip to the provincial tournament later this month in Kamloops.
Isfeld finished first in the top pool with wins against Lambrick Park 鈥� the top-ranked South Island team 鈥� and number four-ranked Mt. Doug. The team gained a bye into the quarter-finals where they beat Dover Bay, the number one-ranked team from the North Island.
Isfeld coach Kevin East said the boys 鈥減layed amazing鈥� to beat Dover Bay in two straight sets to set up a tough semi-final match against Spectrum, the number two-ranked South Island team. The Ice lost the first set 19-25, won the second 25-16 and came up short in a thrilling third set that ended 13-15.
鈥淎s the boys did all season, they played with grit and determination in the bronze medal game against another talented Victoria team, SMUS (St. Michaels University School),鈥� East said. 鈥淭he Isfeld squad wanted it more and came out with a huge win in three sets.鈥�
Spectrum won the tournament, and Claremont finished second at the 12-team tournament. The top 3 from Vancouver Island advance to provincials, Nov. 23-26 in Kamloops.
鈥淐ongratulations boys,鈥� East said. 鈥淵ou earned it playing some great volleyball.鈥�
