In a reversal of last year’s Grade 8 girls volleyball final, the F.H. Collins Warriors downed the Porter Creek Rams to strike gold Saturday.

It couldn’t have been a closer game, however.

After the Warriors took the first set 25-21, the Rams rallied to take the second set 25-23. Then in the tiebreaking third set, F.H. outlasted Porter Creek to win 15-12 and clinch gold.

“We worked really good together as a team,” said Emily Johnson, a member of the Warriors’ No. 1 team. “We kept positive, had good energy and weren’t getting upset. That helped us win.”

The 13-year-old said beating Porter Creek after losing to them in the round robin was huge.

“I was telling the kids: ‘Winners win but champions dominate,’” Warriors head coach Rob McGurk told the Star. “All week, it was just so close that you couldn’t say anybody dominated this tournament. It was really good ball throughout.”

Four teams finished tied for first after robin play, while one semifinal was an all-Porter Creek matchup.

Porter Creek’s No. 2 team beat out the No. 1 squad to earn a berth in the finals. The Rams’ No. 1 squad went on to win bronze over Vanier.

Teams from Teslin and Dawson City finished fifth and sixth, respectively, while F.H. Collins’ No. 2 team finished last.

Having two teams reduced roster numbers and gave the girls more opportunity to play, said McGurk.

The Grade 8 championships were played using the three-ball format, where serves are alternated with throw-ins from an official on the sidelines. The developmental strategy was introduced three years ago.

Warriors assistant coach Montana Coburn said the strategy helps build fundamentals for young players.

“When they move up next year, it will be easier now that they know how to get their three hits,” she said.

Other members of the gold medal squad were: Tugugin Swan, Kiara Hagen, Hazel Lewis, Kate Storey, Dylan Massie, Dana Sellars and Olivia Thompson.

Despite the loss, Rams player Sarah Hardie was named tournament MVP.

Porter Creek coach Dan Bisson said he was happy to see his girls playing volleyball, as opposed to “ping-pong.”

“Three hits is our goal,” he said. “Win or lose, I don’t care. I want to play volleyball.”

In that light, the Rams’ progression was remarkable, said Bisson.

“It’s been impressive. In these game situations, under pressure, they really stepped up,” he explained. “They played well. They never got away from playing volleyball.”