After a dazzling rise to the top and securing the Island Championship just weeks ago, Saanich’s Mount Douglas Secondary fell in the provincial quarter-finals to Okanagan Mission Secondary, crowned provincial champions on Nov. 30.
The Rams finished second in their pool after defeating Coquitlam’s Pinetree (23-25, 25-23, 16-14) and Richmond’s McMath (26-24, 25-22) but falling to Kitsilano Secondary (16-25, 24-26). They advanced to the quarter-finals with a victory over Burnaby North in the round of 16.
The following day, the squad played their final match against Kistilano on Nov. 29 at Oak Bay High.
Though the boys from Saanich fell short at the province's top tournament, their achievement remains a source of pride for head coach Chris Yee he explained in a previous interview with Saanich News.
As this year’s season started, the team, half of which have never played with the other half, lacked the chemistry. Conflicting schedules and varying commitments prevented the team from having consistent training.
However, as mid-season approached, the squad had an epiphany that shifted their mindset and changed the course of their year.
“We realized, ‘Hey, if we really try our best here and stay together as a team, we can achieve a lot more than we think,’” said Yee.
Fuelled by this newfound determination, the Rams began an unstoppable winning streak. They dominated regular season games, claimed the AAA City Championship, and secured the coveted Judy Bourne Cup.
“Our game plan was for every tournament we went to, we went for the win, each step being more significant than the last.”
After these defining wins and solidifying their dominance in the region, the Rams proved to be a force to be reckoned with, which they reinforced once again by clinching the Island championship.
Little did they know, by winning the Vancouver Island AAA Championship at Colwood’s Royal Bay Secondary School on Nov. 16, the team secured Mount Douglas’s ninth Island title, making it the most decorated school on the Island. This victory not only surpassed Oak Bay’s eight championships but also ended Mount Douglas’s 30-year drought.
“It's quite stunning, we played incredibly well,” said head coach Chris Yee. “It was definitely quite special.”
