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Queens of the Valley once again

Outstanding Grade 12 group leads top ranked South Delta Sun Devils to a third consecutive zone championship

Leave it to an opposing coach to best describe the past three seasons of dominance at South Delta secondary school.
In 20 years of coaching, Seaquam Seahawks’ Todd Clarke says he has never seen a team as talented as the South Delta Sun Devils. This comes from not only a well-respected mentor who runs a top-notch program but a tireless volunteer who is actively involved on the executive level with the B.C. High School Girls Volleyball Association.
Clarke got one more first hand look at the Sun Devils Friday night as the hosts cruised to a 3-1 victory over the Seahawks in the Fraser Valley AAA championship match. South Delta will look to complete another dominant campaign at the upcoming provincial AAA tournament in Parksville.
For a near capacity crowd, the Valley final was almost secondary to the opportunity of watching a remarkable group of Grade 12s play for the last time in their own gym
It’s hard to imagine a local high school volleyball team will ever again feature four of six starters who are already committed to university programs. Super twins Nicole and Megan McNamara are headed to UCLA next fall to continue their promising beach volleyball careers, while Cassidy Pearson and Laura Findlay will remain teammates at the University of Manitoba.
“I don’t want to say this is the end of a golden era but, let’s face it, this cohort of seniors is phenomenal,” said Sun Devils head coach Dan Burgess. “It’s really hard to put it into words. Realistically it will all hit home next year when I’m on the court and doing a lot of stuff that I didn’t have to do for the last two seasons.”
The Fraser Valley senior banner was the Sun Devils third-in-row — an impressive feat on its own if they also didn’t happen to win at provincials as well.
“Ten years ago when I started I didn’t even know what the Fraser Valleys were because we never went there,” laughed Burgess. “It was play in league and that was the end of our season. The last five years the expectations have risen massively.
“Next year will be a bit of a reboot. “We will be just looking to qualify (for provincials) and will have a good shot again the year after that.”
Playing the sixth ranked Seahawks for the third time in 11 days, the Sun Devils jumped out to a quick two set lead (25-14, 25-16). They also were in control of the third before Seaquam staved off several match points and pulled out a 31-29 win. That’s when Burgess shortened his rotation and his team took care of business.
Nicole McNamara was named tournament MVP. Megan and Pearson were both selected as all-stars.
The final chapter for these girls’ decorated careers starts Nov. 27 at Ballenas secondary
They will remain sharp by scrimmaging against AAAA teams that will be heading to Cranbrook, starting with Lower Mainland champion Argyle and Handsworth on Thursday night. Their biggest challenge at provincials is expected to come from No. 2 ranked and Island champions Timberline. The Campbell River school will be playing close to home and did knock off South Delta in the final of the Camosun Tournament back in early October.
The difference this time is they will see the Sun Devils’ big guns from start to finish.
“I believe they are one of the top four teams in the entire province,” added Burgess. “I expect them to be in the final and the crowd to be heavily against us. But these girls play better on the road. They just seem to bond better and they’re pretty excited about going to the Island.”
At the net…
• The Seahawks have also enjoyed an impressive run in recent years, qualifying for the provincials for the fifth consecutive time.
• The Delta Pacers are making what has almost become an annual trip to the provincial AAA boys volleyball tournament after placing third at the Fraser Valley Chamionships. Delta earned bronze with a win over Johnston Heights on Saturday afternoon.
The Pacers reached the semi-finals before falling to eventual champion Earl Marriott on Friday night. The boys rebounded with a win over Seaquam to advance to the third place game.
The provincials are slated for Nov. 26-29 at the Langley Events Centre.