The Ballenas Whalers senior girls volleyball team has earned a spot in the 2024 BC AAA Girls Volleyball Championships, in Vancouver Nov. 28 to Nov. 30.
They advanced to the provincials after placing second at the Island championships at Mark Isfeld Secondary in Courtenay Nov. 15 to Nov. 17. They lost a close and exciting match to the host Mark Isfeld Ice in the final (15-25, 21-25, 25-16 and 23-25).
In the lead up to the finals, the Whalers had to overcome some tough opposition in Pool B. They lost a closely contested match against Stelly's Stingers 25-23, 25-23. They bounced back from that loss to beat Edward Milne Wolverines in straight sets 25-18, 25-10 and stopped the Timberline Wolves in a close game, 25-19, 25-18. They finished second in their pool with two wins and a loss.
They advanced to the semifinal where they beat the top team in Pool A, Gulf Islands Scorpions, in a barn-burner that went five sets 25-15, 15-25, 26-24, 16-25 and 15-11. They earned their spot in the final but fell short, losing to the Ice.
The Whalers are now preparing for the provincials, hosted by Sentinel Secondary and West Vancouver Secondary. In round-robin play, the Whalers are in Pool C that will have Duchess Park from Prince George, R.A. McMath from Richmond and Mark Isfeld. They will first take on Duchess Park first on Thursday, Nov. 28. They will get a chance to avenge their lost at the Islands when they face Isfeld next and close the day against R.A. McMath.
The Whalers team consists of Haley Spetch, Koli Kitazaki, McKinley Shworan, Peytonn Howell, Danielle Esthom, Norah Hughes, Cardin McLaughlin, Cadie Denhaan, Sophia Torgenson, Alyssa Lane and Isla Brett.
