(Posted 10:30 a.m., March 7)
Gisèle-Lalonde earns OFSAA volleyball threepeat in convincing fashion
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

Members of Gisèle-Lalonde Titans hold up the championship trophy after winning the OFSAA provincial 'AA' volleyball title a third consecutive time. Fred Sherwin/Photo

The Gisèle-Lalonde Titans won their third consecutive provincial high school volleyball championship on Thursday, dispatching General Amherst in three straight sets in the OFSAA 'AA' final.

Playing in front of their family and friends at De La Salle high school in Ottawa, the Titans won the first set 25-22 behind the outstanding play of sisters Rebecca and Sebrina Roy .

The Titans won the next two sets with relative ease. They led wire to wire in winning the second set 25-13, and only trailed twice in the third and deciding set which they won 25-20.

While General Amherst relied on their 6-foot1 power hitter Katie Breault for the majority of their points, the Titans had an assortment of weapons in their arsenal starting with the Roy sisters, who combined for 16 kills in the final two sets, Grade 10 middle Elyse Patry who had two kills in the second set and Grade 9 middle Émie Gaboury who scored three points in the third set.

After the championship banner presentation, Titans coach Marcel Martin tried to put their streak of three consecutive championships in persepective.

"The first one was good, the second one was better and the third one is unbelievable," said Martin. "Only one other team has won three in a row and that was a long time ago."

Members of Gisèle-Lalonde Titans including Rebecca and Sebrina Roy (left) hug each other after winning the OFSAA provincial 'AA' volleyball championship a third time. Fred Sherwin/Photo

The final marks the last time the Roy sisters will play organized volleyball together, at least on the hard court. The two girls plan to continue to play beach volleyball together. Both girls have played in all three championships along with Catherine Loranger.

Asked what it has been like sharing the experience together, younger sister Sebrina said it's been a dream come true.

"It's been great. I love playing with her. Our energy together is really high. We don't play on the same club team, so to play together on this team has been amazing," said Sebrina.

For Rebecca, who will be graduating this year, it marks the final chapter in a very successful high school career.

"It's still to be determined whether or not I'll keep playing, but if this is my last volleyball I'm totally okay with it. I could think of a better way to go out," said Rebecca.

As for next year, Rebecca plans to come back and cheer on her sister and the rest of her former teammates to a possible fourth straight title.

The Gisèle-Lalonde Titans pose for a team picture after winning the OFSAA provincial 'AA' volleyball championship a third time. Fred Sherwin/Photo

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)

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