There was plenty of homegrown talent contributing to success during the recent club volleyball season at the provincial and national championships.
The Seaside Surf enjoyed a historic run that included the Semiahmoo/Peninsula club’s first-ever B.C. title at the 18U boys level, followed by a silver medal finish at the Canadian Championships in Edmonton.
Seaside featured Delta Secondary grads Keaton Mann and Jordan Payne, along with Tsawwassen’s Teo Ardanaz.
Seaside’s 17U boys team also reach the podium at the 18U provincials, outlasting Lake Country in three sets to earn bronze. The Six Pack’s roster included Delta Pacer Grade 11 standouts Jagger Schurman and Gavin Payne. The boys were guided by DSS grads Spencer Kyte and Steve Chaisson.
Finally, Delta’s Element Volleyball Club captured silver at provincials, competing at the 16U boys Division Two level.
The team was guided by DSS teacher Andrew Robson with five of his students on the roster — Levi Froude, Tyler Rooyakkers, Connor McIntosh, Tyler McIntosh, and Tyler Semler.
Seaside U18’s podium finishes capped a memory journey for a group of players that have been together for past six years, including the last three coached by Dave Dooley, who also is in charge of the men’s team at Capilano University.
At the Olympic Oval in Richmond, the Surf dropped the opening set of the championship match to the Fraser Valley Volleyball Club then rallied to pull even, highlighted by a remarkable touch dig from libero Kris La Gaurdia for the game-winning point. A dramatic final set followed with Seaside pulling out the provincial gold triumph on a kill from Ardanaz.
In Edmonton, Seaside captured their pool group thanks to a win over defending national champion Nooks Volleyball Club from the host city. After getting past Prince George in the quarterfinals and another Alberta team — FO Volleyball — in the semis, the Surf fell to Mississauga’s Pakmen Volleyball Club in the championship match.
“We have shown improvements in both play and results every season, a testament to the work ethic of these guys in training. It was tough to come up just short of our goal, and tears were shed, but they were shed out of the love we felt for one another and in seeing this all come to an end rather than because we lost,” said Dooley.
“All in all, I’m tremendously proud of all of these young men, both in how they play the game and who they have grown to become as people. I can’t wait to watch them take on new challenges.”
Setter Malachi McMullin and left side Michael Dowhaniuk were named to the tournament all star team. Dowhaniuk led Semiahmoo to the provincial “AAA” high school championship in his Grade 11 and 12 years, earning tourney MVP honours.
Mann was a standout at DSS, who played last season at Douglas College.
At the net…
Robson will be hosting his second annual Delta Volleyball Camp in August at Delta Secondary.
The camp is slated for Aug. 27-30 and will be divided into two age groups — Grade 6s-to-8 and Grades 9-10. The sessions are an ideal way to prepare for the coming high school season. For more information and to register email arobson@deltasd.bc.ca
