The Dover Bay Dolphins’ path to provincials went just the way they wanted.
The senior AAA boys’ volleyball team won the Vancouver Island championship Saturday in their home gym, beating Reynolds in the final, 20-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-18.
Shawn Owen, Dover’s coach, said the final was an emotional match between two teams that rose to the occasion. He said the match felt closer than the scores indicate.
“It’s exciting and it is special to do it in your own gym, for sure…” he said. “For some of the Grade 12s, it’s the last time they’re going to play in front of friends.”
Isaac Bevis was chosen tournament MVP and Nathan Ziemanski was selected the tourney’s top libero. Joey Chi and Thomas Wright made the first all-star team and Owen Frey was selected as a second-team all-star.
The Dolphins anticipate a top-four seed at provincials, which will be at the Langley Events Centre from Nov. 30-Dec. 3.
“It’s great momentum going into the B.C.s,” Owen said. “They’re playing their best volleyball of the year for sure right now.”
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