WATERLOO REGION (November 8, 2024) – The District 8 season did not end the way Rockway wanted it to in 2023. After completing a perfect regular season, the Flames faltered in the semi-final, dropping the match 3-1 to St. Benedict. Fast forward to 2024, again with a perfect record intact, this time Rockway would face the Saints in the title match.
The opening set was a test for both teams as it stayed tight with Rockway sneaking out a 25-21 first set win. The second set was much of the same until Rockway captain Toby Snider, and Richie Reinders served for wins in nine of the set’s final 10 points to win 25-19 and take a two-set lead.
St. Benedict’s stormed back in the third set, winning 25-17, but could not extend that momentum into the fourth. Rockway captured the set, match and championship in the fourth set 25-19, winning their thirteenth District 8 senior boys’ volleyball championship in school history, and first since 2016.
Both Rockway and Woodland will advance to the single-A CWOSSA championship being hosted in Cambridge, November 15th, while St. Benedict’s will compete in the triple-A event being hosted at Conestoga College. St. David’s senior squad will advance the double-A CWOSSA championship in Hanover.
St. Benedict’s junior squad also carried an undefeated record into the final where they were looking to complete a three-peat in a rematch from last year’s title match against St. David.
The Saints played well in the first two sets, and with some bounces that went their way, took an early 2-0 sets lead winning 25-16 and 25-15. St. David’s clawed back in the third, winning 25-17 with some monster attacks from Jonah Takacs.
St. Benedict proved to be too deep and too strong to be beaten however, winning the fourth set 25-17 and capturing their third straight District junior boys’ volleyball title.
The Saints will march into the triple-A CWOSSA championship on November 15th in hopes of capturing the school’s first junior boys’ volleyball CWOSSA title. St. David’s will travel to Hanover to compete in the double-A CWOSSA Championship, while both Père-René-de-Galinée and Woodland will advance the single-A Championship.