The Belmont Bulldogs senior women finished second as hosts of the Senior Girls AAAA Island Volleyball Championship and join Oak Bay in a six-team wild card tournament for the final two berths at provincials.
The Bulldogs lost in the final to the Vanier Towhees, Island winners for the third consecutive year. Vanier won in straight sets, 25-21, 25-23, 25-20 and qualify for the provincial championships in Penticton, Nov. 28 to 30.
"The Vanier girls are ranked No. 8 in the province and proved to have a little more firepower than Belmont," said Bulldogs coach Mike Toakley. "The Bulldogs (actually) lead Vanier at some point in all three games but were unable to push through for a win."
Belmont and bronze medal winner Oak Bay advance to the wild-card tournament on Saturday, Nov. 23, at North Vancouver’s Handsworth secondary. Six teams will contest for the two remaining berths at provincials
The Bays defeated Claremont for third, a wild finish with Oak Bay taking the tiebreaker 17-15.
The tournament all-star team was dominated by the top four teams: Carly Guenter (Vanier), Kiana Pomponio (Belmont), Tamara Bonsdorf (Belmont), Asia Rattigan (Oak Bay), Haley Cabral (Claremont), Alena Holyk (Dover Bay).
Vanier's Megan Ireland was named the tournament MVP.
Final standings1. G.P. Vanier Towhees2. Belmont Bulldogs3. Oak Bay Bays4. Claremont Spartans5. Dover Bay (Nanaimo)6. Mt. Doug Rams7. Alberni District8. Cowichan Secondary