Kelowna Christian ends DCS title bid

Heavy hit is made by Jon Climie of the Duncan Christian Chargers past the Vernon Christian Royals in the B.C. Senior A boys’ provincial volleyball championships last Wednesday morning at UBC Okanagan Gym.

Graeme Corbett/Vernon Morning Star

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Duncan Christian School Chargers took a great run at the provincial A boys’ volleyball championship in Kelowna, finishing ahead of their pre-tournament ranking in third place.

“I think we were all pretty disappointed,’’ said the Chargers’ Josh Klassen. “We all went there wanting to get a blue banner.’’

The semifinal match with No. 1 ranked Kelowna Christian determined the team’s fate. DCS played hard and gave Kelowna all it could handle in a 19-25, 17-25, 18-25 defeat.

“We knew going into it, it was a game we could win,’’ said Klassen. “Kelowna played a great game.

“It was good for them. They were kind of like us. They had all their guys back from last year.’’

After the loss, DCS realized it didn’t want to miss an opportunity to claim the bronze medal and came through to beat Bulkley Valley Christian of Smithers 25-23, 25-21, 19-25, 27-25.

“I think we played pretty consistently for most of the tournament,’’ said Klassen.

The event opened with a 25-12, 25-22 victory over Vernon Christian, 25-12, 25-19 over Richmond Christian and 25-23, 25-23 triumph against Centennial Christian. DCS thus realized its first goal to place first in the pool.

The DCS boys continued their winning streak by defeating Sparwood Secondary in three straight sets, 25-12, 25-16, 25-22, before running into Kelowna Christian in the semis.

“We gave our all, but it just didn’t work out,’’ said Klassen of the Kelowna Christian semi.

Klassen was selected to the provincial first all-star team while Bennett King-Nyberg was a second team all-star selection and Douglas Groenendijk received honourable mention status.

DCS coach Peter Day did a great job providing the focus for a team that everyone knew was extremely talented.

There’ll be no rest for most members of the DCS squad as they head straight into the basketball season.

“Practices are starting up this week,’’ said Klassen.

Basketball coach Heidi Padjen found last year it was better to wait until volleyball season was finished since most of her players do double duty.