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Nanaimo Christian School girls win Island volleyball championship

Trail Blazers win senior A title in their home gym, advance to provincials
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Nanaimo Christian School Trail Blazers player Naomi Vivian goes for a kill during the Island championship match against the Duncan Christian Chargers on Thursday, Nov. 17, at the NCS gymnasium. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

The Nanaimo Christian School Trail Blazers won an Island championship on their home court and are headed back to provincials.

NCS defeated the Duncan Christian Chargers in straight sets Thursday, Nov. 17, to win the Island’s senior A girls’ volleyball title for a second-straight year.

Nanaimo won by scores of 25-23, 25-12, 25-16.

Patrick Morley, coach of the Blazers, reminded the Grade 12 players before the match that the Island final was their last chance to play in their home gym.

“I basically said don’t hold anything back, make the most of it and go out there and enjoy every minute…” he said. “They put a lot of heart into it.”

Naomi Vivian, Blazers captain, said any time the team encountered a rough patch during the match, players took a moment to breathe and were able to work through it. The Blazers were at their best, she said, when players were getting passes up, setting, finishing, and generally doing their jobs out on the court.

“I thought our team did really well,” she said. “It came together in the end. We really had a nice finish for our last home game and it ended up being really fun.”

Olivia Phillips, who seemed to make something positive happen on every ball set toward her leftside of the court, was chosen MVP of the Island championships and her teammates Lindy Hobbs and Elizabeth Rocha were also selected all-stars.

The Trail Blazers, who have now won four of the past five Island titles, will fly to Prince George for provincials Dec. 1-3 hosted by Cedars Christian School.

“It will be some good, competitive games there obviously, but these girls, they’re up for the challenge and they can compete, they’ve proven it time and time again,” Morley said.

Vivian said the Blazers can still get to that higher level of volleyball that will be needed from here on.

“We’re all aware of how much of a journey it’s going to be for provincials this year, but we’re so excited to be able to push ourselves harder,” she said.

Aspengrove finished fourth at Islands, led by all-stars Sara Taylor and Brooklyn Barootes. Cedar also participated in the tourney and Liv Collins was an all-star.

READ ALSO: Nanaimo Christian School volleyball teams sweep Island championships



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Nanaimo Christian School Trail Blazers player Moyo Alabi bumps the ball during the Island championship match against the Duncan Christian Chargers on Thursday, Nov. 17, at the NCS gymnasium. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)