SJD, Korah win city volleyball championships (Updated with photos)

The Sir James Dunn Eagles have never rebuilt their senior girls volleyball team. They just continue to reload year after year.

In a match filled with excitement, drama and solid play throughout, the Eagles won their 11th consecutive city championship with a two sets to one victory over the Korah Colts on Saturday night at White Pines.

In the junior division city championship game, Korah defeated Sir James Dunn in straight sets by scores of 25-19 and 25-23.

In the senior division, the victory capped a perfect day for the Eagles, who have now won 15 of the last 17 city titles, after going 3-0 in the round robin portion of the four-team playoff tournament.

The Eagles took the first set 25-20 before Korah rallied for a 25-15 win in the second set. In an entertaining third set, the Eagles battled to an 18-16 decision.

In the deciding set, the teams traded the lead several times as the Eagles eventually grabbed a 15-14 lead. Needing a margin of two points for a win, Korah battled back to take a 16-15 on a call for an illegal rotation against the Eagles.

After a long rally, the Eagles' Christine Thomas made a big smash to the tie the game at 16-16 and then followed with another kill for a 17-16 lead.

On the fourth championship point, Thomas scored an ace with her serve to give Sir James Dunn another city crown.

"The girls were incredible and played really well," said veteran Eagles skipper Cliff Summers. "The best part of it is watching this team win. I've been at it a long time and I've never seen a team as close as this one. The just go out there and work hard for each other.

"The laugh with each other and play practical jokes on each other and the parents on this team treats each girl like they are their own."

Korah finished the round robin with a 2-1 record while the Bawating Braves finished at 1-2 and the St. Basil Saints at 0-3.

*** JUNIOR:

The Korah Colts rebounded from their first taste of defeat in local play to capture the junior division crown.

After going undefeated through the regular season, the Colts were handed their first loss of the season by the Eagles on Saturday in the round robin by a scores of 25-17 and 25-13.

Not enjoying the feeling of defeat, the Colts rallied to beat the Eagles 25-19 and 25-23 in the final.

"We have an awesome group of kids and when they work together, they can do anything," said Colts head coach Jennifer Barbeau. "Our passing was really good, our sets were there and our hitters were on their game. There is no one star on our team. Everyone has to work together.

"The loss earlier for us was good. The girls have to realize that you have to take everything seriously. The program at the Dunn has been solid for 30 years now and you have to be on the top of your game to beat them."

Sir James Dunn finished the round robin at 3-0 followed by the Colts at 2-1, the Braves at 1-2 and the Saints at 0-3.