In a season dedicated to Michelle Reilly Dover Bay Secondary hosted the AAAA senior girls volleyball provincials and finished in 12th place. (Dover Bay Secondary)

By Dan Marshall

Remembering Reilly

Dover Bay hosts volleyball provincials in season to honour former player

Dec 18, 2021 | 8:23 AM

NANAIMO — Dover Bay Secondary’s senior AAAA girls volleyball team had more than just wins and losses on their minds this season.

It was a year that saw a return to play from COVID-19, but also heavy hearts as the team mourned the loss of a former player.

Michelle Reilly was 17 when she passed away from cancer in September 2020.

Her number 10 is permanently retired and the team wore it on their sleeves all season.

The senior Dolphins season recently concluded by hosting the AAA senior girls provincials in their home gym.

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Dover Bay head coach and provincial tournament organizer Dave Nelson said the current team decided to come together this season to help in the fight against cancer.

“We raised about $2,000 from the island and provincial tournaments to go to BC Children’s Hospital in her honour,” Nelson told NanamoNewsNOW.

On social media #weplayformichelle was used throughout the season and it was also prominently displayed on the AAAA girls provincial tournament website.

NDSS and John Barsby Secondary School also served as game venues for the tournament.

Staging the event was a long time coming, Nelson said.

“We were supposed to host in 2020 but COVID prevented that,” Nelson said. “We were ready to go this year and then the flooding hit. The tournament had to be postponed for a week. We had to wait and see who could come and 19 out of the 20 teams made it.”

On the court Dover finished 12th at the event. Nelson was pleased with the results given the roster was younger with a lot of Grade 11 players.

“We definitely felt the pressure of being at home and it was the first big event for them in two years. It was definitely a positive learning experience.”

The other Nanaimo entry at provincials had a very strong showing with NDSS finishing fourth.

NDSS players Tianna Kehler (First Team) and Alannah Wright (Second Team) were named to the tournament all star team.

Riverside Secondary from Port Coquitlam took home first place.

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