Over 200 young athletes finished off their 2016 volleyball season with a Grade 4/5 volleyball jamboree held at Gibsons Elementary School (GES), and the 6/7 Play Day hosted by Elphinstone Secondary on Dec. 2.
Eight teams of beginner volleyballers descended on the Gibsons Elementary gymnasium, where an afternoon of spirited play was enjoyed for most of these first-year players. Under the able officiating of Sydney Kopeck, Vivian Selmes, Sydney Rubin and Brooke Bothwell of GES, over 80 students enjoyed learning the game and competing against other school teams in the district.
The end of the week saw 20 teams of boys, girls and mixed teams assemble at Elphi, where the Grade 8 and 9 high school girls refereed a full day of competition.
In the all-girls division, the Gibsons girls took home the hardware once again. The Gibsons 2 team narrowly squeaked out a 26-24 win over the West Sechelt girls in the B flight, while the Gibsons 1 team came from behind to defeat the Davis Bay girls 25-23 to take home the Lee and Janice Brown A flight trophy. In the boys division, Cedar Grove defeated Gibsons 25-21 in A flight, while Roberts Creek took home the B flight hardware, defeating Gibsons 26-24.
Because some of the smaller schools simply don’t have enough students to field teams in both boys and girls, a mixed division was added this year, which saw the Davis Bay Tugs defeat Langdale 25-19 in the A final, while Ecole du Pacifique – with players in grades 4 through 7 – defeated Cedar Grove in the B final.
Thank you to the principal, staff and students of Elphinstone for giving up your gym for the day, to PE teacher Owen Schutz and his excellent organization of officials, and to Sienna LeWarne for her able assistance throughout the day.
