Holy Cross girls win their first-ever B.C. AAA volleyball title with a joyful, fearless run that shocked the province and thrilled fans.
A Celebration Years in the Making
The gym in Vernon shook with cheers as the senior girls of Holy Cross Regional High School finally claimed a dream that had teased them for years. Right after the final point dropped, joy rushed in. And then the celebration began. The Surrey squad swept Point Grey in three straight sets. And just like that, the school earned its first-ever B.C. volleyball title.
Stars Who Shined When It Counted
Right-side standout Alyssia Palma lit up the court from the first serve to the last spike. She earned tournament MVP with ease. Meanwhile, Carys Prout stepped up again and again, and she secured a spot on the Second Team All-Star list.
A New Coach, a New Energy, and a New Page
Coach Bree Grandia stepped into the lead role this fall. And although she spent 11 seasons guiding the program, this group finally gave her a first that felt magical. She smiled as she remembered past close calls. Last year brought third place. The year before brought fourth. And both years came with a #1 ranking that weighed on the team.
A Rough Start, Then an Incredible Rise
Although the tournament began with stumbles, everything changed fast. Holy Cross lost to both Point Grey and Crofton House in early pool play. Yet the girls kept moving. They beat W.L. Seaton to stay alive. And then Saturday arrived.
Suddenly everything clicked. Holy Cross faced Crofton House again in the semifinal. But this time the Crusaders stormed through three straight sets. After that, they rolled into the final with the same force. They didn’t drop a single set that entire day.
A Team That Found Joy at the Perfect Time
Grandia said the shift didn’t happen on the court alone. The girls met often. They worked on communication, trust, and mental strength. They built a bond layer by layer. And on championship day, that bond glowed.
The coach watched as the girls played with joy, calm, and freedom. And because they felt free, they played their best volleyball of the season. Referees talked about them. Coaches praised them. Fans pointed them out. And everyone kept repeating the same thing: these girls looked like they were having the time of their lives.
A Season Full of Growth and Hard Work
Holy Cross moved into the AAA division this fall due to tier changes. Yet the shift didn’t slow them. They beat Earl Marriott to win the city title. They topped Elgin Park in the South Fraser zone championship. They also captured the BC Catholic tournament.
Grandia has coached many of these players since Grade 9 and Grade 10, so this win felt even sweeter. Palma stood out all season as an elite athlete who shines in both volleyball and basketball. And everywhere they went, people knew her name.
A Province Full of Competition
Elsewhere in the AAA girls division, Elgin Park took 15th. In 4A girls action, Earl Marriott finished second, Lord Tweedsmuir placed eighth, and Semiahmoo landed 14th. Pacific Academy brought home third in 2A girls and also third in 2A boys, while Elgin Park ranked seventh in 3A boys.
A Victory to Remember Forever
Holy Cross didn’t just win a banner. They created a moment that felt warm, bright, and unforgettable. Their joy built their rhythm. Their bond built their belief. And in the end, that belief carried them to the top of British Columbia.
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