WATERLOO REGION (November 13, 2019) – A year after going the distance with Woodland in the District 8 senior boys volleyball championship, St. Benedict’s would need another five sets to defend their title against Resurrection.

On Tuesday night in Cambridge the undefeated Saints were slow to start dropping the first two sets. Resurrection middle hitters Noah Tyszka and Noah Lalonder could not be stopped on their attacks and steadied the defence with strong blocks at the net. With their effort, along with strong play from grade 11 setter Eric Walsh, the Phoenix won the opening sets 25-18 and 25-20.

The third set opened much like the first two with Resurrection leading slightly 16-14 when there seemed to be a switch in momentum when Saints’ grade 12 left side Bryson Meadus was given a perfect set, and crushed it through Resurrection’s defence.

St. Benedict’s went on to take the third set and momentum of the match.

Resurrection was leading the fourth set 22-18, but after a huge attack from Meadus, followed by his run of serves, the Saints were able to close out the set 25-23.

Saints’ Grade 12 setter Ryan Frias had a fantastic performance all night and was no different in the fifth set. Frias led the saints to a 15-6 fifth set win, and their second straight District 8 Championship.

The Saints will advance to the triple-A CWOSSA Championships on Thursday in Waterloo as they are placed in a pool with Owen Sound D.S.S. and Waterloo Collegiate.  Woodland will represent D8 at the single-A CWOSSA Championships in Walkerton, while St. David’s will attend double-A CWOSSA.

Earlier in the night, the Resurrection junior squad upset number one seed St. David’s to win the school’s first junior volleyball championship since 2008.

After splitting the first two sets, Resurrection won the last two 25-19 and 25-21 with an impressive performance from grade nine left side Gavin Deep.