Following a loss to the Vanier Crusaders in the Super Volley final, the Porter Creek Rams were itching for a high-stakes rematch against their cross-town rivals.
Their wish came true.
Rams defeated the Crusaders 26-24, 25-21 in the senior girls final of the Pepsi Volleyball Yukon Championships on Saturday at Porter Creek Secondary. It was the second year in a row the Rams captured the senior girls title.
“I’m just really proud because after a tough loss in our Super Volley final there, they took it, they used it, and they came out and shined today,” said Rams head coach Amy Palamar.
“I couldn’t be prouder, they played an amazing game,” she added. “They came out and did all the things we’ve been working on and they played their game. They were strong and fought right to the end.”
The win for the Rams prevented Vanier from winning all four divisions at the championships on Saturday. The Porter Creek squad’s only loss of the season was to the Crusaders in the Super Volley final, having gone undefeated in the regular season, the Dawson Invitational and the championships last week.
“It feels good,” said Rams power and captain Daria Jordan. “After what happened in the Super Volley final we came and played our game, showed them what we could do, and came out on top.”
After slipping behind 17-12 in the opening set, the Rams tied the score 19-19 and took a one-point lead on back-row kills from Jordan. They then took the set on an unreturned serve from power Sam Wintemute.
“I think at the beginning of the game it was mostly nerves,” said Jordan. “Everyone was really nervous after what happened in the Super Volley final. Once the nerves were gone and we started attacking and playing how we could, that’s when the game turned around.”
Tied 9-9 in the second set, the Rams went on a eight-point run on the serve of setter Hannah Milner, who was named to the tournament’s All-Star team.
The Rams reached match-point on a crafty tip from Milner before middle Teah Dickson knocked in an unreturned serve to end the match.
With a bucket load of kills in the final, Jordan was named the tournament MVP.
“I was surprised,” said Jordan. “But I think all of my team played just as well as every other player, we all did what we needed to get it done in the end. It just went to one person and I’m proud to say I was the MVP of the tournament.”
The Rams arrived in the final with a semifinal win over Dawson’s Robert Service School Knights, who beat the F.H. Collins Warriors to take bronze.
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com