After leading Victoria's Belmont Bulldogs to back-to-back B.C. AAAA senior girls volleyball titles, Savannah Purdy has played a big role as a freshman in helping Trinity Western to the No. 1 spot in the latest U Sports women's volleyball national rankings. (Photo by Scott Stewart property of Trinity Western athletics 2018. All Rights Reserved)
Feature University Women's Volleyball

Savannah Purdy: Trinity Western’s fantastic volleyball freshman already embodies the ethos of U Sports’ No. 1-ranked Spartans

LANGLEY — Ask Trinity Western women’s volleyball coach Ryan Hofer what the most challenging aspects have been for his star rookie hitter Savannah Purdy to adjust to in joining a line-up that has gone into the Canada West winter break as the No. 1 team in the nation, and he correctly amends the question.

After a 25-23 win in the deciding third set of the 2018 B.C. senior girls Quad A volleyball championships gave Kelowna an upset win over Belmont at Penticton Secondary, Owls' player let the post-game celebration begin. (Photo by Mary Kessenich property of Vancouver Sports Pictures 2018. All Rights Reserved)
Feature High School Girls Volleyball

B.C. Girls Quad-A Volleyball: Owls fly outside the box, Kelowna’s quirky prep leads to upset of three peat-minded Belmont Bulldogs

When you get right down to it, there could be no greater sign of respect for the accomplishments of the volleyball dynasty which had come to reside in our provincial capital the past two seasons-plus than the efforts of a determined opposition head coach.

Belmont Bulldogs' Jocelyn Sherman (7) and Taylee Pomponio (14) celebrate a point during last season's B.C. AAA championship run at the Langley Events Centre. (Photo by Paul Yates property of Vancouver Sports Pictures)
Feature High School Girls Volleyball

Belmont girls volleyball: No. 1 Bulldogs’ quest for B.C. title three-peat rides on its three degrees of dedication

VICTORIA — You’ve heard of the six degrees of separation, but when it comes time to calculating the steps of togetherness for the Belmont Bulldogs senior girls volleyball team, it’s more about the three degrees of dedication. 

Twice as nice. Victoria's Belmont Bulldogs (left to right) Gracie May, Taylee Pomponio, Olivia Godek, Hannah May and Savannah Purdy celebrate their second straight B.C. AAAA volleyball title Saturday at the Langley Events Centre. (Paul Yates, Vancouver Sports Pictures)
Feature High School Girls Volleyball

Bulldog believers: With early disaster averted, Belmont girls perform on pressure-packed road to win B.C. AAAA title

LANGLEY — It’s special to arrive before your time, yet as the Belmont Bulldogs can tell you definitively, it’s a status which immediately demands an encore performance. And in sport, just as in life, you reap what you sow.