It’s been more than 20 years since the Hyacks were a real threat on the senior boys volleyball circuit.
This year’s success has changed the channel when it comes to expectations, too.
New Westminster Secondary’s squad enters the final two games (including Wednesday’s contest against Byrne Creek, past the Record’s deadline) eyeing a perfect record and some healthy momentum for a playoff run.
In their 3-0 shutout over rival Burnaby North on Monday – with both teams holding undefeated records entering the day – the Hyacks kick-started each game with a solid run before the Vikings put a forceful rally together. The first two sets (25-21, 25-22) showed two close rivals taking turns with momentum-killing rallies.
In the third and final set, New West put it away with a little more efficiency (25-17).
At 5-0 and sitting 14th in the provincial top-15 rankings, the adrenalin and excitement are starting to show staying power.
“I knew coming into the season that we would be strong, but I did not know we’d be beating a lot of teams and actually be ranked in the top-15 of B.C. volleyball,” second-year coach Billy Lee said. “They’ve been doing well, they’ve been gradually getting better and better and now they’re top of the league and hopefully be going into the (Burnaby-New West) playoffs undefeated.”
Besides some shaky play in the season-opener against Burnaby Central, which they won 3-2, the Hyacks have only dropped one other set, to Moscrop, two weeks ago.
The squad, which includes three club players and is led by Grade 12 Nicholas Toews, has garnered its share of success on the tournament circuit, too. They finished ninth out of 24 at the Douglas College event, and 13th out of 32 at UBC. This weekend they’re heading north to compete at
Kamloops’ Thompson Rivers University tournament.
Consider that a year ago the Hyacks had just one league win to their credit and floored a lineup that was loaded with Grade 10s, this year’s emergence has been positively surprising. Although the players themselves believe they knew it was possible.
Toews, who was a veteran last year among mostly Grade 10 lineup, says the progression has been encouraging.
“It’s been a very good season and everyone has contributed,” said Toews. “Last year we kind of got to know each other and learned how to play together. This year we feel we can qualify for provincials.”
Second-year starter Ian Zhou is making the transition to libero, thriving in what is a all-for-one format.
“Our team is definitely peaking. We’ve developed the mentality to make every point count, make every point matter,” said Zhou. “With all the practices and tournaments we’ve been going to, we’ve been developing our skill set. Everyone is getting better and our team is coming together as a whole.”
Once the league schedule is completed next Monday, the focus will turn to winning the Burnaby-New West league banner, which they’ll host. New West will also get the privilege of hosting the newly formed Fraser River North zone playoffs – which incorporate the top-four teams from the Burnaby-New West and Coquitlam leagues.
The top-two teams from that tournament, which goes Nov. 12 to 16, will advance to the B.C. AAA senior boys championships in Langley.
“We’re excited, very excited. This is the first time ever that New West is hosting our zones, with the Fraser River North (zone). … Hopefully we can get that banner as well as the (Burnaby-New West) banner. Knock on wood and hopefully we get through,” said Lee.
“How we played (against Burnaby North) is how we should win the championship.”
