WATERLOO REGION (February 15, 2018) – On Wednesday night in Cambridge, both junior and senior girls volleyball teams from St. Benedict’s won their respective District 8 league championships in three straight sets.

It was only two years ago when the senior girls volleyball squad from St. Benedict’s failed to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year. However, the program is now thriving having both junior and senior teams in the finals the last two years. Both teams lost in last year’s title matches but redeemed themselves on Wednesday.

In the senior matchup against Resurrection, both teams were showing nerves with missed serves and unforced errors, but it was the Saints who jumped out to a 11-6 lead which forced the Phoenix into a timeout.

Grade 11 left side attacker Olivia Benzin from St. Benedict’s began to make her mark on the match with some big swings and a massive block. The first set was wrapped at 25-19 with an attack from grade 11 right side hitter Angelina Markotic.

Saints’ grade 12 setter Maya Danis started the second set off with four straight serving points, and continued throughout the match with tremendous hustle and precision setting. It was this effort that led St. Benedict’s to a 25-16 second set win.

Grade 11 middle Abby Boorsma and grade 11 setter Calista Grant made pushed in the third set to rally their Resurrection squad, but the Saints were too strong on the night as they closed the third set 25-11.

St. Benedict’s will advance to the AAA CWOSSA championships held in Kitchener-Waterloo on February 22nd. St. David’s who lost to St. Benedict’s in a four set semi-final will advance to the AA CWOSSA championship while Père-René-de-Galinée will play for the A CWOSSA championship.

The junior final featured the Saints against a talented team from Père-René-de-Galinée who were playing in their first ever District 8 girls volleyball final.

The Saints were led by strong front row attacks from Nahya Dalle Vedove and Lexie Stanley to take the first set 25-14.

Olivia Holness from Père-René made some spectacular plays throughout the match but couldn’t get enough opportunities to overcome the balanced Saints attack. The second set wrapped at 25-16.

Great serving from Saints’ Jenna Elises closed out the third set victory 25-21.

The St. Benedict’s junior team will play in the AAA CWOSSA championship tournament on February 22nd, while Père-René will look to defend their CWOSSA A title in Breslau. St. David’s will represent District 8 at the AA CWOSSA championship event.

In January the midget girls volleyball championship was decided in a eight team draw where St. Mary’s won in two straight sets over St. Benedict’s in a best of three final.