Spiking and setting took centre court in Whitehorse Thursday to Saturday with the Yukon School Volleyball Championships.

The first of two weekend tournaments, the Grade 8 and 9/10 championships were held at three Whitehorse schools.

In Grade 8 action, there were six teams competing in the boy’s division with two teams from Vanier Catholic Secondary School. École Émilie-Tremblay and Robert Service School also had teams competing in the tournament.

The Porter Creek Secondary School Rams won the boy’s tournament defeating the Vanier Crusaders Blue team in the final in two straight sets, 25-8 and 25-11. The F.H. Collins Secondary School Warriors took the bronze over Vanier White 25-18, 25-13.

On the girl’s side there were eight teams with each school fielding two. Warriors White took the victory over Vanier Red 25-23 and 25-7. The other squad from Vanier took the bronze over Porter Creek in three sets 20-25, 25-20, 15-8.

In Grade 9/10 action, F.H. Collins was victorious again in girl’s action with the Warriors White defeating the Rams in the final.

On the boy’s side with only four teams – two from F.H. Collins and one each from Vanier and Porter Creek – the Crusaders faced off against the Warriors Black in the final in front of a packed crowd at F.H. Collins Saturday afternoon.

The Crusaders, who also won the Dawson Invitational Tournament over the Warriors, took an early lead in the best-of-three set final. Led by their power hitting up front, the Crusaders won the first set 25-17.

But the Crusaders got in some trouble early in the second set with several unforced errors and net infractions. The Warriors stayed in the set with strong defensive plays leading to a 21-21 stalemate before the Crusaders served out the set for the two sets win.

Next will be the senior teams’ turn for gold at the championships Nov. 23-25 as well as the Grade 7 championships.

The triple crown is not in play for either of the senior tournaments with both thrilling Super Volley finals ending that possibility.