The Duncan Christian School girls volleyball team has returned to Duncan from the provincial senior ‘A’ high school volleyball championships in Prince George having placed 14th.
The event, hosted by Cedars Christian School, began Dec. 1 but before they even got there the group faced some adversity, according to Grade 11 player, Sydney Dollman.
“Our trip started off with cancelled flights, [and us] thinking provincials wasn’t going to happen. But through prayer, and the grace of Maple Ridge Christian School, the senior girls were able to make it to provincials because Maple Ridge offered for the team to ride up with them on their bus,” she explained. “We soon became friends with Maple Ridge.”
As luck would have it, the two teams met in the first round of pool play.
The Chargers fought hard but Maple Ridge Christian took the match (25-19, 12-25, 12-15).
In their next two games, DCS beat Fort Saint James (25-16, 13-25, 15-8) but fell against Sparwood (19-25, 25-17, 8-15), which meant they placed third in pool play had to face Langley volleyball powerhouse, Credo Christian School, in the first game of the championship round.
“As always we had highs and lows, but what was different with this team was how the girls pulled together in the lows, encouraging and cheering each other on regardless of being on the court or standing on the sidelines,” said senior girls coach Jim Brandsma. “These girls have showed that a team can really care about each other and it truly was a team effort this season. As coaches we have been truly blessed by these girls.”
DCS fell to Credo Christian School, who ultimately went on to win the tournament.
After a loss to Highroad, DCS had a rematch with their new friends from Maple Ridge. This time the tables turned and DCS took the win and advanced to the 13th/14th place game. Lions Gate were victorious in that game, however, giving DCS 14th place overall in the 16-team event.
“As a coach, you always hope for the big game playing for a provincial title but what I got this year was probably more special than that,” Brandsma said. “To coach a team as awesome and special as this probably also only comes along once in a coaching career. Reflecting back on these five days and season with this amazing team of girls but we want to highlight our two grade 12 girls: Dara and Nema DeVries, who shared the captain role this season. We are grateful for the way they calmly and kindly led our team. We are going to miss them and we wish them all the best in their next endeavours.”