Wildcats score 15th place finish at 40-team UBC-O High School Volleyball Tournament
By The Nelson Daily Sports
It was a two steps forward, one step back weekend at the UBC-O High School Girl’s Ogopogo Volleyball Tournament for the Mount Sentinel Wildcats of South Slocan.
The Cats looked like world-beaters during the preliminary round but then were rocked during the playoffs to finish 15th overall in the 40-team tourney held during the weekend in Kelowna at the UBC-O gymnasium.
“On a very positive note, and important at that, we didn’t quit mentally or physically (which is) something to build on for this coming weekend,” said Sentinel head coach Joe Moreira.
Mount Sentinel opened the tourney with three wins during pool play Friday.
The result advanced the Cats into the round of 16.
However, facing some of the best teams in the province — Kelowna Christian, Penticton and France Xavier of Edmonton, Mount Sentinel struggled going winless.
“We had hoped to improve on Friday’s performance on Saturday, but it was more of the same and unlike Friday the competition was not as forgiving,” Moreira explained.
The Cats head right back onto the court Friday when the club one again travels to Kelowna, this time to compete in the Best of the West Volleyball Tournament.
“Like the UBC-O tournament we have an opportunity to compete against very good teams,” said Moreira.
“Our first test is against No. 6 ranked Single-A, White Rock Christian.”
Mount Sentinel Boys return to court
It has been a rather lengthy hiatus for the Mount Sentinel Wildcats Boys.
The Cats have been idle since the opening week of the high school season, a third-place showing in Creston at the Prince Charles Comets Tournament.
However, Mount Sentinel returns to the net Friday as the team enters play at the UBC-O High School Boy’s Ogopogo Volleyball Tournament in Kelowna.
Mount Sentinel is an honourable mention in the most recent B.C. High School Boy’s AA ranking.
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