Mallard's Team of the Week — LVR Bombers Sr. Girls Volleyball
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The L.V. Rogers Bombers experienced more up and downs this past High School Girls Volleyball season, well, than a High School Volleyball due to the uncertainties of living through a coronavirus pandemic combined with life-changing storms and mudslides in the province.
However, when the final point was scored, the Bombers were thankful to be able to compete at the BC High School AAA Girls Volleyball Championships in Vancouver, finishing the tournament in 13th place.
“We played some good teams throughout the season, but none at this level,” said Bomber head coach Jennifer Kidd, who after 30 years of coaching, is retiring from mentoring at the high school level.
“It’s a difficult task when the teams at provincials play at this level an develop their mental toughness on a weekly basis.”
For LVR, just making it to play at the provincials was feat.
After defeating J. Lloyd Crowe from Trail 3-0 in the best-of-five zone final — LVR has qualified for the provincials for the past 14 years — the coaches were unsure if the team would be able to travel to Vancouver.
“BCSS (BC High School Sports) postponed the championships a week from Dec 1 to Dec 9,” Kidd explained.
“Even with change of date the driving restrictions were going to prevent our attendance,” Kidd added.
“The kids were devastated, especially the Grade 12’s”
That’s when Kidd said on Thursday, December 2, the Martins — Sheila, Dave and Ryan — at the Hume Hotel stepped up to the plate to offer their support.
“The Hume Hotel stepped in and donated flights for all of us to be able to go,” Kidd said.
LVR finished third in pool play at the provincials, before dropping a heartbreak to Carihi of Campbell River.
“Again, while they played well, taking Carihi to a third tiebreaking set, the girls just couldn’t push past the mistakes and continue to make winning plays,” Kidd said.
The Bombers dropped a consolation game before rallying back to Byrne of Burnaby to finish 13th.
The Bryne contest was the final game coaching for Kidd, who has coaching volleyball — between Trafalgar, J.V. Humphries in Kaslo and LVR — since 1994.
Mallard’s Source for sports totally appreciates the dedication of Kidd and the Bombers, saluting the squad as Team of the Week.
The team includes, coach Jennifer Kidd and players, Emma Lake, Abby Ens, Ava Moyle, Raven Sperling, Atlyn Proctor, Franzi Kerscher, Gabby Bobby and Megan Bonikowsky.
