A host of eager, young volleyball players descended on the former Coquihalla Middle School gymnasium last week for the finals of the SD 58 elementary school championships.

Teams came from Bench, Central, Collettville, Diamond Vale and Nicola Canford in the Merritt area, along with Vermilion Forks from Princeton.

Competition took place on both Wednesday and Thursday afternoons at CMS with round robin play followed by playoffs.

On Wednesday, it was the Central Elementary Hawks emerging victorious with a thrilling 25-23 win over Les Chats Sauvages from Collettville in the gold medal game. Third went to the Diamond Vale Cougars, while Nicola Canford’s two teams of Coyotes rounded out the field.

Thursday, it was the Thunderbirds from Princeton who took home the title, edging the Bench Bears 27-25 in another exciting final game. Diamond Vale again took home third-place honours. Collettville finished fourth.

Bench’s Leif Ellingsen keeps his eyes on the ball as he makes a forearm pass. Ian Webster/Herald

Bench’s Leif Ellingsen keeps his eyes on the ball as he makes a forearm pass. Ian Webster/Herald

Convenor Nicole Mackay-Smith from Collettville called this year’s elementary volleyball season a great success.

Interschool elementary sports has now finished until after Christmas. In January, Grade 4 and 5 students will begin European handball, while the Grade 6 and 7 classes take up basketball.