When Dan Burgess first arrived at South Delta secondary a decade ago, there was barely enough interest to even have a senior girls volleyball team. Now the program is loaded with talent and in position to win its first-ever provincial championship.
"When I started coaching 10 years ago, there were seven kids trying out for senior and needless to say they all made it," laughed Burgess. "It has taken this long to get to the point where we literally have 30 girls trying out for the senior and junior teams."
The Sun Devils won the junior provincial championship a year ago and the senior team earned a berth in the provincial "AAAA" tournament. Now, that talent has come together and is more than living up to the pre-season hype.
South Delta is currently ranked No. 2 in the province and would be at the top of the heap if not for a heartbreaking 16-14 final set loss to No. 1 Heritage Woods in the final of last month's UBC Tournament.
They recently prevailed at another event at Camosun College in Victoria and impressively swept No. 5 Earl Marriott in league play last week.
Third-year seniors Emma Robinson (setter) and Emma Glennon (libero), along with Grade 12 middles Carly Johannson and Hunter McLean, have been joined by Grade 11 power hitter Christine Howlett who played for Team B.C. this summer. Topping it off is Grade 10 twin sensations Nicole and Megan McNamara who won the national U18 beach volleyball championship in August and have been aged up to play in the senior ranks.
"This is the year where they have the best shot," said Burgess. "There is a lot of experience on that court.
"Our depth off the court is incredible as well. "We have kids who can come off the bench with no worries at all. I don't think our starting six would be as good as they are if they didn't have the opportunity to play against these girls in practice. It is a really good situation."
Earl Marriott's visit to Tsawwassen last week was pegged as the Sun Devils' toughest home test of the season. They responded to the challenge with dominating stretches to win the opening two games of the best-of-five-affair. The South Surrey school looked poised to get back in the match when it opened up a 16-12 lead in game three. However, South Delta came roaring back behind the serve of Nicole McNamara, producing 10 unanswered points to go onto victory.
"I told the girls that was the best total game they have put together so far this season," continued Burgess. "They really wanted this game since the last time we played them it went five and we won by two.
"I think we let up a little bit n the third game but it shows haracter when they can come ack from four or five point defi-its and they do that a lot. They ave been in those situations a few times this year and they have always dug themselves out. It should serve them well in the long run."
The Sun Devils have two more tournaments - including the Red Surge next month at Riverside secondary in Coquitlam, which also happens to be co-hosting the provincials.
South Delta also has a strong junior team, under the guidance of first-year coach Ann Howlett. Both squads have benefitted from players participating in volleyball programs at the Richmond Olympic Oval throughout the school year.
"They are going there every second morning instead of gym," added Burgess. "It's been a huge opportunity for us with the facility being so close."
