The Grade 8 Elphinstone girls volleyball team finished off their season with another record win, this time at the Vancouver and District tournament on Nov. 18.
Elphinstone played three games, starting with Moscrop, who are ranked second in the Burnaby/New West division. This win allowed them to go on and beat Richmond’s number one ranked team in their second game.
The tournament was set up in elimination format, meaning that they had to win to stay in the game. Their second win meant they would be in the running for the championship title against their old rivals St. Thomas Aquinas (STA).
“This was the only team that we had lost to in our regular season, and was the team that we competed against in the North Shore Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) league to earn first place in that division,” Coach Jen Illingworth said. “So, we knew they were a strong team and we would have a challenge on our hands.”
STA put up a good fight. Elphinstone won the first set but lost the second, bringing everything down to the wire.
“It was a very exciting, very intense game, where the girls had to work hard to earn each single point,” Illingworth said. “Although tired, the team kept up their energy and played a fantastic set, bringing home the win, a new banner to hang in the school, and a shiny trophy as well.”
This was another history-making win for Elphi. The team is now the first Grade 8 volleyball team from Elphinstone ever to win the Vancouver and District tournament.
Earlier this month they beat St. Thomas Aquinas for first place in the NSSSA, making them the first Grade 8 team in Elphinstone’s history to take the top spot in this league. Their placement in the NSSSA league allowed the team entry into the Vancouver and District tournament.
