WATERLOO REGION (February 16, 2017) – On Wednesday St. David’s senior volleyball team had to take their top playoff seed on the road to win the D8 title in dramatic fashion.
It was St. Benedict’s who was the early aggressor, playing with less nerves in the first set as they controlled passes well and had consistent play at the net. St. David’s was forced to take a timeout down 17-10 but were unable to make a significant run as they were downed 25-19 in the first.
The second set was close the whole way with the Celtics maintaining a slight edge for most of the set, until the Saints took their first lead at 22-21. With St. David’s Marley Dowling at the setter position making crisp passes and quick-thinking plays, her squad would rhyme off four straight points to win the set 25-22.
St. Benedict’s grade 12 power hitter Jenna Banz was a force to be reckoned with throughout the third set as she lead the Saints with a 5-0 run off the start, and another 4-0 run shortly after. St. David’s would eventually tie the set up at 15, but the Saints would continue the strong attack winning the third 25-19.
By the fourth set, Celtic’s power hitter Marianna Sokolowski had clearly dug her heels in and was not interested in losing the match. Attack after attack came from the St. David’s hitter from the power side and from the back row. Sokolowski was joined by middle hitter Martinique Stastna as they cruised to a 25-17 fourth set win.
It was more of the same in the final set. With Sokolowski continuing the attack after continually being set up by Dowling they made the change leading 8-2. Saint’s middle Mya Tostik put up a great fight, but in the end, St. David’s proved to be too strong, winning the set 15-9.
Both teams will continue onto CWOSSA with St. David’s having to play a AA qualifier match at home on Tuesday against Paris District HS at 3:00pm. If successful, they will play for the AA CWOSSA Championship in Paris on Thursday. St. Benedict’s will play in the AAA CWOSSA Championship in Kitchener-Waterloo on Thursday while Woodland will be the A CWOSSA representative from D8 who will host next week.
The junior title was decided between Resurrection and St. Benedict’s as curtain raiser to the senior match.
The Phoenix junior squad came out in the first set firing on all cylinders with incredible passing and defensive coverage. This lead to dominant attacks from grade 10 middle Abby Boorsma and outstanding power attacks from grade nine left side hitter Marissa Norcott. Resurrection cruised to take the first two sets 25-15 and 25-9.
The third set, which was a point-for-point affair, was much closer and intense. The Saints defense was noticeably better and they had a great effort from middle hitter Angelina Markotic who controlled the net for much of the set. Despite this, the Saints could not muster enough momentum to get past Resurrection as the Phoenix won the third set 25-22.
The junior Phoenix team will play their CWOSSA Championships on Thursday in Kitchener-Waterloo. Monsignor Doyle’s Junior team will play in a AA CWOSSA qualifier on Tuesday while Pere-Rene-de-Galinee will enter the A CWOSSA championship at Woodland CHS.
Earlier in the year the District 8 midget girls volleyball championship was awarded to Resurrection as they beat Monsignor Doyle in straight sets after losing to the Mustangs earlier in the day.