Mount Sentinel Wildcats continue to build experience following narrow loss to top-ranked Immaculata in final of Kootenay Volleyball Classic
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Mount Sentinel Wildcats played well but could not match the experience of two-ranked Immaculata of Kelowna in the final of the Kootenay Volleyball Classic Saturday at the South Slocan-based school.
Immaculata defeated Mount Sentinel 25-18, 25-16 to sweep the final in straight games.
“Although we stumbled a little, this was an excellent weekend for us,” said Mount Sentinel coach Joe Moreira.
“We had an opportunity to play Immaculata two times in meaningful games, and we left each match feeling pretty good about our progress as a young team (with no Grade 12s).”
Mount Sentinel finished the round robin in second spot behind the Kelowna-based school.
The Wildcats lost 25-22 & 25-21 to Immaculata.
The only other blemish on a rather good-looking record during the preliminary round was a sad result against Fernie Falcons.
“We lost rather badly to a Fernie team that was stronger than we anticipated and were full value in beating us 19-25, 25-9, 15-9,” Moreira lamented.
Mount Sentinel was able to rebound during the playoffs, outlasting Selkirk Storm of Kimberley in hard-fought three-set match — 22-25, 26-24, 15-9.
Immaculata got past Fernie in two sets.
In the final Mount Sentinel played well, but could not match the stronger more experienced Kelowna school.
“We played to win,” said Moreira. “We were confident and aggressive. In this one we lost to a stronger team.”
The Cats, ranked sixth overall in the most recent B.C. High School A Girl’s Volleyball rankings, continue to play tournaments in preparation for zone playoffs in November.
