The Prince Charles Secondary School Bulldogs capped a stellar 2014 campaign by winning the East Kootenay junior boys’ volleyball championship Nov. 22 in Cranbrook.
It was the Creston team’s fourth title out of seven tournaments entered throughout the two-month season, during which coach Mike Nelson witnessed an upward progression that augers well for the future of the program.
“We improved steadily throughout the season,” said Nelson, the PCSS vice-principal. “Strong in every area: great setting, passing, serving and attacking.”
The Bulldogs swept all five best-of-three set matches in the zone playoffs, including a 25-22, 25-18 decision over Laurie Middle School of Cranbrook in the final. That was preceded by a 25-13, 25-20 semifinal victory over Selkirk of Kimberley.
Preliminary round triumphs over Laurie, host Mount Baker and David Thompson of Invermere set the stage for PCSS, which was runner-up in two other tournaments.
This year’s juniors featured four Grade 10 players — Brandon Hills, Marcus Bell, Makaiah Gorham and John Sommerfeld — who will bolster the senior squad in 2015.
“We still need to improve defensively moving forward if we hope to be an elite team provincially in future years,” Nelson said, “but the ability is there.”
The weekend roster was augmented by the call-up of two Grade 8 players from the bantam ranks, Ettiene Boutet and Ryley Ducharme, who saw limited action but got exposure to the next level of play.
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