The Subzero Peak 17U Volleyball team competed at the 2019 Volleyball B.C. Provincial Champions at the Richmond Oval from April 21-22. The team played to a 3-3 record.

The team started their tournament against T2VB CREW 1 from Kelowna. The team got off to a rocky start dropping the first set 25-11. In the second set they were able to rebound slightly, losing the second set of the best of three match 25-17.

Coach Gary Seeley said the team was adjusting to nerves as well as a different ball than the one they were used to practicing with.

“It was a different ball,” said Seeley. “It was very light so our passers were shanking the ball and the setters had some trouble figuring out their distances. Every team in the tournament had troubles.”

The team was able to get into the win column in their next game dropping the Focus Flames from Burnaby. Subzero Peak lost the first set of the match 27-25 and were able to rally back to win the next two sets to win the game 2-1.

Needing to defeat their next opponent to move into the top tier for a chance in the medal rounds, Subzero took the court against Duck Grant from Coquitlam.

“We started getting used to the ball and to the facility,” said Seeley. “We started putting it all together and really picked it up but we came up short.”

The Ducks barely edged Subzero in the first set winning 25-23. The next set was also a close contest but the Ducks were once again able to come out ahead 25-21.

Seeley said the Ducks had a really strong left side attacker so they switched their middle to the right side.

“We moved Emma Boyd to the right side so she could block and shut down their power,” said Seeley. “We were able to get her the ball on the right side and she started to light it up.”

Seeley said after the game the Ducks coach was surprised by how the team had played.

“That is how we usually play,” Seeley responded.

In the playoff round the team first took on CVVC from Courtenay. The team dropped the game in straight sets falling 25-16 and 25-17.

The first set was very close but Subzero was able to edge out the win, needing more than the 25 point cap, winning 27-25.

The second set was also close but Subzero was able to create some separation at the end to take the final set of their tournament 25-22.

Throughout the tournament Seeley said, “we were right there, we weren’t far off.”

Compared to the teams from B.C., Seeley said there is one thing different in the Yukon.

“The Yukon is right there it is just gameplay,” said Seeley. “They (the B.C.) are teams more refined, but technically wise we are right there and had a better offence.

“We were catching everything on the fly and it is just about keeping it all together.”

Subzero Peak was joined in Richmond by the 18U boys Subzero Sharks and the 18U girls Subzero Summit.

The Sharks amassed a 1-5 record. The Summit’s record was 2-3.