High School Volleyball
Louis Riel wins OFSAA AAA senior girls volleyball championship
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

The trophy case at École secondaire publique Louis Riel is beginning to get a little crowded after the senior girls volleyball team captured the school's fourth OFSAA championship in the past 12 months on the weekend.

After losing their opening round robin game in the 'AAA' tournament to the host St. Michael Catholic Sceondary School, the Rebelles reeled off three straight wins to earn a berth in the playoffs.

Louis Riel easily got past Widdifield Secondary School from North Bay in the quarterfinals, winning in straight sets 25-16, 25-6. They had a much more difficult time in the semi-finals against Chatham-Kent, but managed to win in straight sets 25-23, 23-19.

After already assuring themselves of at least a silver medal, the Rebelles pulled out a 30-28 win in the opening set of the championship match against Sir Oliver Mowatt Collegiate Institute.from Toronto and then finished them off 25-21, 25-21 to add a provincial 'AAA' volleyball championship to the hockey, soccer and basketball titles they've won over the past 12 months.

Vicky Savard has the rare distinction of playing on the soccer, basketball and volleyball teams, while Brianna Smith and Myriam English both played on the soccer team.

English says the secret to the Rebelles' success in Stratford was team chemistry.

“We stuck together, hit the ball well and played as if they was our last match, because it was our last match... it was not one girl, it was the whole team," said English.

Head coach Frank St. Denis said the defining factor of the team's championship run was their ability to refocus after suffering the round robin loss.

"The difference for us was the way we played. We played more steady than we usually do. The loss to St. Micheal's was a blessing," says St. Denis.

(Posted 5:30 p.m., March 11)

Return to top

Return to Front Page