This year’s Bluewater Elementary Sports Council (BESC) volleyball tournaments were some of the most competitive seen in recent years. Both the boys’ and girls’ events had balance up and down the brackets.
The girls’ tournament saw Hillcrest Elementary and Kincardine District Senior schools respectively finish first and second in pool A, while East Ridge Community and Saugeen District Senior schools took first and second in pool B. East Ridge managed to dispose of Kincardine District in straight sets to await the winner of the previously undefeated Hillcrest and upstart Saugeen District. After losing the first set, Saugeen District regrouped and won the next two sets to earn the finals match-up they had been waiting for. With Saugeen District’s only previous loss coming at the hands of East Ridge, they were primed to turn the tables in the finals. As the finals progressed, East Ridge showed why they had not dropped a set all day by continuing to show strength and ending things in a straight set victory on their home court.
The boys’ side of the tournament was equally balanced, where a tie breaker was almost needed to identify who would play in the semifinals. Once the dust settled, East Ridge, Beaver Valley Community, Kincardine District, and Saugeen District played for the opportunity to move to the finals. The second place Falcons from East Ridge managed to knock off the first place Royals from Saugeen District in straight sets. The other semifinal had the gritty Cobras from Beaver Valley upset the first place Knights from Kincardine District in a three-set thriller. With two second place teams flying high into the finals, East Ridge was able to reproduce their northeast championship over Beaver Valley just the day previous. With this, an all East Ridge sweep was complete. This is the first time a school has won both the girls’ and boys’ volleyball championships in the same year!
Congratulations to all participants on an excellent event!