The Gladstone Gladiators showed up at Van Tech secondary for the senior boys city volleyball championship and stole home court advantage from the host Talismen. On the back of a raucous crowd, Gladstone also stole the VSSAA title 22-25, 27-25, 25-23, 25-16.
The second-level stands overlooking the court were packed with screaming Gladstone fans waving hand-drawn signs. One said, 鈥淓very day I鈥檓 Huynhing,鈥� as if the best way to cheer for middle hitter Vu Huynh was to celebrate his hustle in hip hop sing-along style.聽
For two years in a row, Gladstone lost the junior championship to Van Tech. Gladiator coach Jeff Young said the win was a gift for the graduating seniors.
鈥淪econd every finals, we鈥檙e always second,鈥� he said. 鈥淔inally. This year we got it. Winning this one, it finally broke the curse. I鈥檓 happy to be here with them.鈥�
Young said Van Tech had stronger outside hitters but his side was better in the middle. That鈥檚 where the Gladiators aimed their attack.
In the championship fourth set, five different hitters recorded strikes, including captain and setter Steven Trinh. Allen Wong, Adam Wu and Vu Huynh capitalized.
鈥淭hey were the people we needed the most to win the game,鈥� said Young.
Gladstone also had essential help from an unexpected addition. L.J. Cayas won two junior titles with the Van Tech team that defeated Gladstone. Then, at the start of his Grade 11 year, Cayas transferred to Gladstone for an academic program. He was chosen as the starting libero and his presence on the court is can鈥檛 be missed. More square than long, Cayas looks the part of a rugby prop and plays the role 鈥� with feverish enthusiasm 鈥� like each point called for the haka, the Maori ritual of tongue-sticking, screaming, stomping expression often seen before international rugby matches. Dressed in the stand-out red shirt of Gladstone鈥檚 libero, Cayas was all intimidation and excitement.
鈥淲e needed a strong lib and we got one,鈥� said Young. 鈥淭he lib has to be there and they always have to be hyper. You need that person to bring the energy up.鈥�
The coach remembered Cayas and the two junior losses that came at the hands of Van Tech.
鈥淎t one of the first practices, I asked, why is this guy here? This guy stole championships from me! He came out and we had other players who could have taken the position, but he proved he was best,鈥� said Young.
Cayas, who stood out in the libero鈥檚 red shirt, said he embraced the energetic role.
鈥淚 love being loud for them. Me being on the court as a lib gives me a chance for them to get success,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e amazing teammates. These guys boost up my game and I feel I can play 100 times better because these guys are so encouraging and so open.鈥�
Gladstone lost the first set but bounced back to edge the Talismen in three close sets. Van Tech coach Alex Pappas said the visitors were tough opponents.
鈥淕ladstone came out with a lot of fire, they played really good volleyball and we were with them pretty much the whole way. The fourth set, we took our feet of the pedal and we let them run away with it a little bit,鈥� said Pappas.
鈥淭he difference was a little bit of their desire and their having a huge fan base come to our gym. It was tough to communicate being drowned out by a bunch of visiting fans. They had a great atmosphere. It shows a lot of good things from their school.鈥�
Gladstone, Van Tech and David Thompson advance to the Lower Mainland volleyball championship.
