The Whistler Whoosh women’s volleyball team gave about 120 per cent effort in the Tier II provincials last Saturday, March 15, with five players doing the work of six after an injury left them short after their first match.
The team travelled to Burnaby to play eight teams for the provincial title, and quickly found themselves in the tougher of the two pools where they faced a very competitive Simon Fraser University team in the first round.
Whoosh won the first game 25-20, but lost the second and third game in the set. During the last point of the final game against SFU, Whoosh setter Myrna Bush sprained her ankle.
With no subs, the Whoosh team pressed on, but lost their next set against the strongest team in the tournament, Block Party, by scores of 16-25 and 25-27. They faced the University College of the Fraser Valley in their next pool game, and won the set in two, 25-21 and 26-24.
After placing third in pool play, the Whoosh were relegated to the consolation bracket.
In the semi-finals, they faced Dig Deep, a consistent Vancouver team, and won by scores of 25-23 and 25-19 to make the consolation final where they would face UCFV a second time.
With new strength and enthusiasm, Whoosh beat UCFV in two straight games, 25-17 and 25-13 to win the consolation finals, and a set of Provincial Championship T-shirts.
"I can’t believe how amazing we played with only five players," said Whoosh power hitter Carlee Howell. "Every other team had at least six players with two or three subs. We definitely came together and played some outstanding volleyball, and had a great time the whole day."
Setter Sue Oliver did a great job in the setting position, middles Shelly Ellingham and Olga Achier were solid on both sides of the ball, and power hitters Megan Ballard and Carlee Howell kept up the offence for the Whoosh team. Myrna Bush stepped in when needed to help out with some challenging serves.
The Whoosh thank their coach Bill Scrota for an amazing season, and sponsor Whistler Whooshnet Cable 6 for their support.
Many of the players on Whoosh will be back in action at the Tier I Provincials on April 5 as members of the Windermere Extreme volleyball team.
