DCB Lions Roar to Success at 2024 ACAMIS Volleyball Tournament

Our Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) varsity volleyball teams had a spectacular showing at the recent ACAMIS Volleyball Tournament, hosted by the British School of Shanghai, Puxi. Competing against top schools from across the region, our DCB Lions showcased both their skill and determination on the court, with the boys’ team emerging as champions and the girls’ team securing a strong second-place finish.

The boys’ team faced a challenging final against Dulwich College Shanghai, Pudong, a match that brought thrilling rallies and kept supporters on the edge of their seats. After splitting the first two sets, the decisive third set saw the DCB boys push ahead to claim a hard-fought 2-1 victory. Their win was a testament to the countless hours of practice, strategic play, and team cohesion that they’ve built throughout the season. Every player contributed to the victory, executing their roles with precision and tenacity that set them apart as the champions of the tournament.

The DCB girls’ team also put in an inspiring performance, advancing through the tournament with resilience and skill to reach the finals. Though they came up just short in a close match, their journey to second place was a testament to their hard work, unity, and unwavering spirit. Their impressive finish speaks volumes about the potential of the team and the strength they bring to DCB sports.

Ms Klaudia Tomaszun, Assistant Head (Enrichment) in Senior School, added, “It was a full-on tournament with days stretching to 12 hours of volleyball, presenting a tough challenge that our students embraced wholeheartedly. We could not be prouder of how our students embodied true sportsmanship, embracing DCB values and remaining humble both on and off the court.”

The teams, led by the Team Captains Max Z and Portia L, share more below:

-- By Hannah Marshall 

Boys Varsity Volleyball Captain, by Max Z

The ACAMIS volleyball tournament took place from 30 October to 2 November at the British International School of Shanghai (Puxi).

As part of the top ACAMIS division (red division), Dulwich College Beijing had the privilege of playing against schools like CISHK (Chinese international school of Hong Kong), RCHK (Renaissance College Hong Kong), DCSPD (Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong), SSIS (Suzhou Singapore international school), and BISS (British International School of Shanghai). 

Game day 1 (31 October): The boys came in fresh and pumped for a full day of group stage games, with their first game against SSIS (Suzhou Singapore International School). The boys got to a hot start and never looked back, winning 2-0 easily. Next, the boys matched up against CISHK (Chinese International School of Hong Kong) and again won 2-0, finishing the morning of Day 1 undefeated. Originally, the boys had their final game of the day scheduled for the afternoon vs RCHK, but due to unforeseen typhoon alerts, the 4th game, initially scheduled for Day 2, was brought forward to Day 1. However, the boys weren't fazed as they managed another 2-0 against a strong RCHK (Renaissance College Hong Kong) team and finished the day with another 2-0 win against BISS. 

Game day 2 (1 November): Due to schedule changes, the boys were scheduled to play DCSPD for their final group stage game. Winning this game would cement them as the top-seeded team for the playoffs, and the boys did. Once again, they won 2-0, securing their spot as the top seed in the group stages. In the semifinals, the boys again faced off against CISHK (Chinese International School of Hong Kong). The boys suffered their first slip-up, losing the first set 25-19. The second set was all DCB, winning commandingly 25-7. The third and final set was tight, but the boys prevailed again, winning 15-13. Ultimately, they won the semifinals 2-1, advancing to the ACAMIS final. 

Game day 3 (2 November): The final day of ACAMIS and the boys' ACAMIS final. The boys matched up against DCSPD (Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong). The first set was tight all the way through, with our boys trailing most of the set. Despite being down 24-23 to DCSPD, the boys saved the set point and squeezed out a 26-24 win. The second set was again tight, but the boys played a great set and cruised to the win. They won the final 2-0, crowning themselves as ACAMIS Champions, and only 1 set lost out of 15 throughout the tournament for the second straight year. 

It’s been an amazing journey, and I’m incredibly proud of the team’s dedication and hard work. This win is a result of everyone’s effort, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our coaches, school, and families. A big thank you to all the teams for making this tournament so memorable. We’ll carry this spirit of teamwork and resilience forward.

Girls Varsity Volleyball Captain, by Portia L

I’m excited to share that our ACAMIS Girls U19 Volleyball Team has achieved 1st Runner-Up in the recent ACAMIS tournament! Our dedication, teamwork, and relentless spirit really shone through every match, and it was amazing to see the hard work of our athletes pay off. I want to extend a huge thank you to my teammates, our coaches, and all the supporters who cheered us on every step of the way. Your passion and commitment made this achievement possible! I’m so proud of what we accomplished together, I can't wait to see what we’ll achieve next season.

This ACAMIS tournament was a showcase of the DCB Lions’ dedication and teamwork, and the entire school community is incredibly proud of their achievements. Congratulations to our athletes and coaches for their fantastic performances, representing DCB with pride and sportsmanship.

Go Lions!