The South Delta Sun Devils are headed back to the B.C. girls volleyball championships for the second time in three years and are poised to be a fixture at the event for the foreseeable future.
It was back in 2009 when the Devils cracked the provincial tournament for the first time in school history. The appearance culminated some hard work to generate interest and growth of the sport within the community, including a grassroots elementary school program. Proving it was not just a one year wonder, South Delta is back again, this time at the the "AAAA" level and with team that features just three Grade 12 players.
The Sun Devils secured their trip to Handsworth secondary in North Vancouver next week by placing fifth at the Fraser Valley Championships. South Delta advanced to the semi-final with a hardfought five set win over Charles Best before falling to top ranked Riverside and surging Elgin Park. That set the stage for a do-or-die affair against Lord Tweedsmuir with the final B.C. berth on the line. The Devils responded to the challenge with a decisive three set win.
"The girls deserve a lot of credit," said coach Sandra Nash. "We were coming off a two hour match and had to play immediately with basically just six players. The girls knew what they had to do and dug deep to play very well."
Even with such a young team, advancing to the provincials has been the goal since the first day of practice. What the Devils don't have in experience, they more than make up for in talent, led by setter Emma Robinson, power hitter Sheima Rezai, middle blocker Hunter McLean and libero Emma Glennon. All four Grade 11s are part of an elite volleyball program being run out of the Olympic Oval in Richmond.
Four other Grade 11s - Carly Johannson, Megan McKenzie, Ayaka Uejara and Kelly Watt also see playing time, while the team leans on the leadership of Grade 12s Courtney Nicholls, Keather Findlay and Taeylor Gray.
With some talented juniors on the way up - including the outstanding trio of Grade 10 Nicole Howlertt and Grade 9 twins Megan and Nicole McNamara, it's not a stretch to suggest South Delta could be competing for a provincial championship next season. However, Nash only wants to focus on the week ahead and how the experience will be beneficial in the long run.
"We could easily be taking those junior players with us and I know they would definitely help," said Nash. "But I want to go with what we have and reward them for the season they have had. We're going to see a lot of outstanding teams and it should be a good learning experience."
As an accomplished singer and music director at Tsawwassen United Church, the demands on Nash's time made this volunteer coaching position an immense challenge. However, as a former player for the powerhouse CIS program at the University of Winnipeg, she also knew she had something to offer.
"I'm definitely not what you would call an experienced coach but I have seen what it takes to win a national championship," she said. "I have seen all kinds of coaches but the important thing to me is to make this a positive experience for the girls from the joy of playing volleyball. They have done a wonderful job."
