The Grade 8 and 9 Spencer Wildcats didn’t look out of place at all during last weekend’s B.C. junior girls volleyball championships in South Delta.
The middle school team, facing mostly Grade 10 players, wound up 11th overall in the 24-team tournament, but showed signs they may be a junior volleyball powerhouse once they move on to high school next year.
On the opening day last Friday the Wildcats were virtually unstoppable, beating W.L. Seaton of Vernon, Langley Fundamental and Prince George secondary to win their pool at 3-0.
Placed in the championship round against the No. 2-ranked team in the province, Pacific Academy from Surrey, Spencer took their opponent to a third-set tiebreaker before losing. Pacific finished fourth overall.
Despite the lone defeat, the Wildcats dropped into a consolation match against Terry Fox secondary from Coquitlam, losing another close third-set tiebreaker to finish 11th.
Standouts were captain and power hitter Savannah Purdy, middle blocker Gracie May, right side Hannah May, and setter Taylee Pomponio. The team, coached by Brenda Cyr, had a successful season highlighted by wins at the VIU and Belmont invitational tournaments, as well as a silver medal finish at the Jr. High Island Championships.