LVC 18U Men Win Silver

LVC Impact took home silver from the U18 boys Alberta Volleyball Provincial Championships held in Sherwood Park on the weekend. Ranked number one in the province entering the event, Impact wasn't quite able to pull off a repeat (2007) gold medal finish against Edmonton's NAVC Bears.

"We may have just run out of gas", said Head Coach Dustin McCubbing. "The final was our fourth tough match of the day, and the Bears came at us strong".

The LVC crew finished 2nd in round robin play, forcing them into a head on collision with #4-ranked Red Deer Kings in a preliminary playoff match. LVC defeated the Kings 22-25, 25-18, 15-12, to move on to the quarter final against the Grande Prairie Wolves.

LVC had to throw everything they had at the feisty Wolves to defeat them in straight sets, 25-22 and 25-21.

"That was by far the best defensive team we've faced" stated Joel Dyck, Impact's stalwart left side. "It seemed they dug up everything, no matter how hard we pounded it".

Impact then took on Calgary's Canuck Akido in the semi-final, again winning 2 straight, 25-20 and 25-19.

The final was a classic match between the two top teams, but in the end the blocking and back-court defense of NAVC proved too much for Impact's assault. NAVC won in two sets, 25-23 and 25-21.

"We really wanted the win, but NAVC just executed to near-perfection. They have such a huge block, it's difficult to score consistently" commented Braedon Schmold, Impact's veteran libero. "They are a quality team and well-respected and I guess it was their turn".

Two of Impact's players were given All-Star nods for the event, Chris Gilbert (setter) and Brodie Haugan (right side).

The tournament marked the season's last AVA event for the boys, some who've played together for the past 5 years. Though their club volleyball is coming to a close, several have been recruited and are destined for college programs throughout western Canada, including Lethbridge (Schmold), Medicine Hat (Haugan), Briercrest (Dyck), and Red Deer (Gilbert).

Impact will compete in the U18 National Championships to be held in Ottawa May 2-4 and hope to improve on their bronze medal finish of last year.

Dustin McCubbing
LVC Impact U18 Men's Head Coach

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