Mental preparedness helped team play to silver

Three years ago Correlieu Clan volleyball set a long-term goal as juniors to make it to high school provincials their final senior year.

For coach Archie Sull it was a building year, as the junior team determined to bring their game to the next level in order to qualify for the biggest volleyball tournament in British Columbia.

The teams’ ardent drive to succeed fuelled their dedication as they committed to after-school practices, jump training in the hallways and individual summer training programs to prepare for each season.

While in the junior league, the Clan received a wild-card developmental berth into B.C.’s, where they gained valuable experience.

Their first senior year, the team worked hard, garnering a 13th place AA ranking in a season that involved travelling to tournaments across Alberta and B.C. to places such as Grand Prairie, Vancouver and Prince George.

The defining moment came for the Clan last weekend as they headed to the AAA Zone championships in Dawson Creek to try and achieve their long-standing goal.

When it was all over, Sull stood alone with parent Steve Erdman as the crowd and players slowly dispersed leaving the gymnasium silent.

“Can you believe our kids met their goal and are headed to the provincials?” Sull said to Erdman.

His team was triumphant in one of the loudest and most energetic games he had witnessed in his coaching career.

Correlieu began the tournament playing North Peace of Fort St. John for the first time this season.

The North Peace team was manned by two big hitters that could finish hits with authority.

Clan realized quick passes were required to execute against a weaker passing team with effective hitters.

All-star Ethan Erdman set the tone, delivering a well placed setter dump before the attack line, which confused North Peace each time Erdman performed a jump set.

By freezing their middle blockers, Erdman delivered crucial sets repeatedly as the Clan defeated North Peace 25-20, 25-12.

Second match was against host team South Peace Penguins.

The fifth ranked team from South Peace did not stand a chance against the seasoned Clan team from Quesnel.

All star Riley McGregor made quick work of South Peace.

He quieted the home crowd, delivering a record-breaking 17 consecutive jump serves in the second set as Clan defeated South Peace 25-12, 25-5.

Next up for Correlieu was a game against second-ranked PGSS Polars of Prince George.

This was a match to the end, as both teams played cautious volleyball feeling each others moves and strides.

The game was steady, as Polars rallied to win in two straight sets 25-23, 25-23.

Correlieu came back against Kelly Road that determined second place in pool play.

CSS’s Stewart Anderson closed all doors from the middle as he shut down Kelly Road’s middle blocker back to back.

Kelly Road had no solution for Anderson, as Correlieu picked apart the Runners defence, sealing the victory 25-20, 25-12.

The semifinal cross over game was a rematch of Correlieu against Kelly Road.

Assistant coach Kelly McGregor spoke with the boys about being mentally prepared for the pivotal game.

McGregor told the team part of being ready was understanding that although Correlieu had defeated Kelly Road a few hours earlier, Kelly Road was not going to give up without a fight.

see PAGE A21