The Seaway District High School junior and senior girls teams left their names on the Eastern Ontario Volleyball maps last week, when both worked their way to the championship finals where they collected silver medals following losses to some very tough opposition.
The Senior Spartans hosted their event last Thursday, February 23, while the EOSSAA junior championships were at North Grenville on Wednesday, February 22.
In their opening round robin game against Renfrew, the Junior Spartans lost the opening set 25-17. They rebounded with back to back, 25-15 and 15-5 set wins.
They had a fairly easy time of it in game two against Almonte (25-9 and 25-15 wins) and in the semi-final against North Grenville (25-10 and 25-11 wins).
That set the stage for the championship final against the very tough Plantagenet entry who claimed victory with two straight wins by 25-12 and 25-18 scores.
“They were a really strong club, but the girls were able to keep it close,” said coach Lindsay Waddell who was pleased with her Spartans’ silver medal finish. The girls played really well. We were simply out-matched in the final.”
“I am extremely happy with our season. I think the right team won in the end, but we played well.”
In senior action on the Iroquois courts Thursday, the Spartans and the Embrun Panthers charged through their round robin action. Neither lost a set as they worked their way to the final.
Seaway, in pool B, defeated Almonte (25-2 and 25-18) and Gananoque (25-2 and 25-9) and eliminated Opeongo in the semi-final (25-12 and 25-18).
Embrun in pool A defeated Sharbot Lake (25-12 and 25-12), Opeongo (25-11 and 25-15) and Almonte in their semi-final (25-15 and 25-5).
The Senior Spartans knew they were up against some tough competition from the Panthers who were last year’s OFSSA champions and who had seven returning players this year, five of whom were starters. Five of their players are also club players who play pretty much year round.
“I knew going into the finals that we faced stiff competition,” said coach Lilace McIntyre. “My squad has nine very dedicated players, but only one plays club. This makes a huge difference because club players typically play 10 months a year and have so many more hours of experience on the court.”
“My girls played a good first set (lost 25-17) but seemed to fall apart in the second (lost 25-12).”
While junior volleyball play ends at EOSSAA, the Senior Spartans (and Embrun) advance to OFSSA at Ryerson Univeristy in Toronto from March 4-7.
McIntyre is extremely pleased and proud to be taking her Spartans to the provincial championship
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