‘The Nest’ was jumping Sunday and the PVC Thunder were in their element as part of an eight-team get-together in the gym at Kwalikum Secondary School, punctuated by some great plays, plenty of smiles and lots of high fives.
The ‘play day’ as they’re called — every volleyball club in B.C. hosts one play day per year — is also the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Parksville Volleyball Club Thunder.
Making the trip to Qualicum Beach for some competition were the Campbell River Crush and the Comox Strikers, along with the Duncan Edge and three Nanaimo Mariners teams.
The day was hosted by PVC’s 15/U Thunder team, and the 16/17U team also got some sets in as they filled out the draw.
PVC director Jill Pinkerton, in her second season with the local high performance club, was pleased.
“It was a good turnout; a very successful play day,” she said after. “All the teams that came out got in some good games. The level of play was quite high — it was quite competitive today,” she said, “and I can certainly say our teams were playing well.”
PVC has 56 girls registered this year playing 13U all the way up to 17U (aged 12-17).
Longtime local bench boss Tom Biggs is back for another season, coaching the 16/17U side, while dedicated sophomore coach Isabel St. Laurent “is doing a great job” with the young Thunder.
“A lot of progress,” Pinkerton answered quickly when asked about the season. “We’ve seen a lot of good development with all the girls this year, and we’re really proud of the work they’ve put in.”
According to Pinkerton the 15U side took part in about six play days this season along with two Super Series which run for two days, all culminating with the Island finals (April 20-21 in Nanaimo) and the BC’s (May 3-4 in Abbotsford).
For more information on the Thunder go to pvc.totalsnap.ca.