Seven teams from the Lower Mainland ventured to Chatelech Secondary School last weekend to take part in Chat's annual Chaudierre Classique senior girls volleyball tournament.
Elphi struggled in the round robin, coming second in their zone, beating Howe Sound but losing to Enver Creek. Elphi missed making the playoffs by two points in the game points differential and had to settle for coming first in the consolation round, beating St. John's from Kitsilano as well as Pemberton and Howe Sound. Danie Proby was the bright light for the Cougars as she was named team MVP.
Chat fared a little better as they won their pool, beating St. John's quite handily and then struggling through two close matches with Whistler.
In the playoffs on Saturday, Chat played tougher teams, losing to a well-coached RE Mountain Secondary School team from Langley, splitting two games with a disciplined John Oliver Jokers squad from East Vancouver and then crushing Whistler as payback for Friday's less than satisfying effort. In its final match, Chat faced Enver Creek from Surrey. Enver played a very safe game, while Chat continued to be aggressive, hitting everything they could.
Unfortunately, accuracy was lacking, and Chat's risk taking didn't pay off as Enver came away with the victory and the championship. Mountain came in second, John Oliver third, Chat fourth and Whistler fifth.
Team all-stars for Chat were Sammi Dixon and Stephanie Nestman, while Alicia Rusnak also stood out for her impressive hitting as well. The team is off to Banff this weekend for the annual Crusaders' Classic.
There are two more tournaments left at Chatelech. The Jacqui Branca Memorial Grade 8 girls' tournament on Nov. 5 and 6 and the First Sign of Frost Junior girls' tournament Nov. 12 and 13.
