Last weekend saw spectators from around the Boundary cheering for senior women’s volleyball teams in the Grand Forks Secondary School’s (GFSS) gymnasium.
Senior high school teams from Osoyoos, Summerland, Nakusp, Kaslo and Trail arrived Friday afternoon for the small district tournament.
The GFSS Wolves’ first match had the team dominate against Osoyoos in the round robin.
The coming matches followed a similar tune, as the Wolves’ worked together with hard hits and easy set-ups.
Slight errors in the quarter-finals against Kaslo’s J.V. Humphries were compensated with good communication, excellent teamwork and deep digs.
Losing the first set, the Wolves rallied in the second as co-captain Abby Sebastian provided neat set-ups to co-captain Kelly Ludwar who repeatedly hit strong spikes in Kaslo’s territory.
The third set, which would determine if the team entered the finals, was drawn out by long rallies that had the crowd holding their breaths.
It was Jessica Smith’s final spike that settled the win for the Wolves to advance to the finals against Summerland.
“The last game was pretty stressful, especially for our coach, but I think everyone pulled through in the end and played their hearts out,” said Ludwar.
The final game was an even playing ground but the visiting team controlled the first set, delivering steady spikes and tipping the ball over the net on the home team.
Team dynamics isn’t something that Ludwar is worried about but she stated that the team may need to work on being ready for any possibility, including tips at the net.
Regrouping before the second set, the Wolves’ returned with vigour and determination.
A dive to save an offside ball by Ludwar resulted in a hard hit to the ground, leaving her slightly bruised.
It was the start of offensive attacks from the Wolves that had the team resuming control and pace of the game to win the second set.
The intensity of the pace continued into the final set, where the Wolves continued their relentless pace.
A few mishaps of serving into the net and striking the ceiling, which is considered offside and a point to the other team, prevented a quick finish. In the end, the girls won the third set, winning the match and placing first in the tournament.
“I feel like the whole tournament, because everybody wanted it so bad, that they did their best. Everyone was ready for anything and gave it their all,” concluded Ludwar.
Wolves placed first, Summerland second and Kaslo third.