WRCA volleyball team second in Fraser Valley

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The White Rock Christian Academy Warriors senior girls volleyball team may have missed a chance to win a banner for their school, but the experience may benefit them in the long run as they hunt for a B.C. title.

Last week, the Warriors lost to Chilliwack’s Highroad Academy – the province’s No. 1-ranked single-A team – in the final game of the Fraser Valley championships, but they did manage to win one game, which they’d failed to do in two previous meetings this season.

“We took a game off them, so that was a real highlight,” said WRCA head coach Kelli Niemi, who is a Highroad alum. “We hadn’t done that all season – we’d lost two in straight sets. Highroad is a very, very good team, so this was big.

“And we did it in Highroad’s gym in front of their fans, so that was huge. It makes us think that anything is possible, and it gives our girls a lot of confidence.”

Before playing Highroad for the Fraser Valley title, the Warriors had already qualified for provincials, which run Dec. 1-3 in Prince George.

“We were in already, so that did take a bit of the pressure off us,” Niemi said.

Prior to facing Highroad Academy, WRCA defeated Langley’s Credo Christian in semifinals.

A pair of Warriors were named to the Fraser Valley all-star team – captain and setter Heather Weeres and Alyssa Duncan, who plays right-side.

No matter what happens at provincials, Neimi said the year has already been a successful one, especially considering the youth of the Warriors’ roster.

That said, she is not discounting a potential podium spot at provincials for her team, which is not currently ranked among the provincial top-10, but has been as high as seventh earlier in the year.

“We’re still a very young team – we only have four Grade 12s, and seven graduated from last year’s team – but we have a lot of talent,” Niemi said. “And if we peak at the right time, and get everyone playing well at once, you never know.”