Inexperience couldn't keep Kodiaks Red from a lofty finish at their first Super Series tournament of the season.
Kodiaks Red, a 14-and-under boys team from the Prince George Youth Volleyball Club, placed third out of 15 teams at the Okanagan Super Spike in Kelowna last weekend. Overall, the Kodiaks won six matches and lost just one, in the playoff semifinals against the eventual champion, Sky Black of Vernon.
After a 25-18, 25-14 setback against Sky Black, Kodiaks Red met the Apex Acers of Vancouver in the third-place showdown and prevailed 25-23, 14-25, 15-10.
All of the Kodiaks are brand new to the level of competition they saw at the event.
"Considering I only have three players that played in the (developmental) Bear league, it's a great result," said coach Glenn Wong. "None of them have played at this level, ever. This is what we can produce (in the PGYVC)."
Wong said strong serving and a fearless attitude were important factors for the Kodiaks.
"They didn't play scared," he said. "We've been really working hard since January, playing in what we call 'clutch experience.' In other words, when the chips are down, what do you do? Do you panic, or do you play ball? And that was the difference - they could handle the pressure."
Team members are Jimmy Brown, Haven Dunphy, Jared Ebert, Logan Kolybaba, Jared Nelson, Isaiah Ohori, Griffen Olexyn, Ian Platzer, Caleb Posteraro, Mitchell Stella, Alexander Thanos and Eli Woulringh. Wong is helped by co-coach Ross Walker.
In pool play, Kodiaks Red beat Barn Owls 25-23, 25-20, downed Focus Fury 22-25, 25-15, 15-13 and defeated KVC Kodiaks 25-9, 25-27, 15-5.
Next, in their first playoff match, the Kodiaks topped Sky Grey 25-9, 25-11 and that set them up for an encounter with Air Attack Gold. Kodiaks Red took that match in three sets, 25-14, 9-25, 15-13.
Sky Black ended up beating Barn Owls in the final, 25-23, 15-25, 15-13.
Two other PGYVC teams were in Kelowna for the Okanagan Super Spike. In the 18U division, Kodiaks Red placed third, thanks to a 25-22, 19-25, 15-7 win against Air Attack Gold, while Kodiaks Black finished 10th.
Earlier in the club volleyball season, another Kodiaks boys team - 16U Red - showed its power when it won a Fraser Valley Super Series tournament in Langley. In that final, the Kodiaks beat Seaside Six Pack 25-15, 18-25, 15-7. The PGYVC team is formed by Colby Graham, Nick Harding, Cole Johnston, Kyle McKee, Chris Magrath, Nolan Minck, Zach Ohori, Dayton O'Neil, Rafael Rodrigues and Matt Shand. Coaches are Hans Minck and Austin Cromarty.
Kodiaks Red will be in Kelowna for a Super Series tournament this weekend.
