Alberta has a new 3A boys provincial volleyball champion after the three-time reigning BCHS Gryphons fell in a tough bronze-medal match against Peace Wapiti Academy from Grande Prairie.
After winning the 3A North Central Zone banner Nov. 19 in Spruce Grove, the BCHS senior boys Gryphons had high hopes of leaving the provincial tournament in Medicine Hat over the weekend with yet another gold medal around their necks.
Alas, it was not to be as the boys fell earned a fourth-place finish after losing to Peace Wapiti in three sets, 25-20, 24-26 and 8-15.
Despite the disappointment of failing to claim gold, coach Rod Callihoo said the boys had nothing to be ashamed of.
“We had a good tournament,” he said. “We were so close to the top spot. Any of the top four teams deserved to be the provincial champion.”
Callihoo added that if the tournament were to be replayed, the winner might have been a completely different team.
“All of the top four teams were so close in ability that if we played it again this weekend the result could be different,” he said.
The Gryphons opened the tournament with a two-set win over St. Joseph from Grande Prairie, 25-20 and 25-17.
They followed that up with a three-set match against Edmonton Christian, falling 25-19, 23-25 and 9-15.
However, the boys didn’t get down on themselves following that loss, getting right back in the win column by defeating Airdrie’s St. Martin de Porres in straight sets, 25-17 and 25-18.
Host team Crescent Heights was up next. Once again, the Gryphons won the first set, 26-24, but lost the next two 20-25 and 20-22 to drop the match.
With a record of 2-2, the Gryphons needed to win their final match against Camrose in order to have a shot at earning their fourth straight provincial title. That they did in a tight match, downing their opponents 25-23 and 25-17.
By finishing third in their pool, the Gryphons were matched up against the second-place team in the other pool, Chestermere High School. In a demonstration of their pedigree, the Gryphons took down their opponents 25-16 and 25-19.
That result set up a rematch with Edmonton Christian in the semifinals. And much like their first meeting, the Gryphons won the first set, but weren’t able to get that second set under their belts, falling 25-23, 16-25 and 10-15, and ending their reign as provincial champions.
“We did ourselves proud and represented our school and community with honour,” Callihoo said. “We have a lot to be proud of.”
With the tournament over and the players back at their studies or other sports, Callihoo said he can look back at the experience that just ended.
“As the head coach, I have seen these players work and sacrifice for the last three months, and many months before, to bring another gold back to this school,” he said. “They strike pride and emotion in me as I see their commitment to themselves and to the success they have had.”
