STRATFORD – The DCVI Junior boys volleyball team started their season last Thursday, Sept. 26 when they travelled here to St. Michael S.S. to take on the host Warriors and the Listowel Lightning.
For their first match of the day, Salukis came up against the Lightning. In an exciting first set, the team got behind early but battled back towards the end of the set and then went point-for-point with Listowel. Unfortunately, the team lost a nail-biter 26-24.
In the second set, Salukis came up against a hot server, fell behind and never recovered–losing 25-17. In the third set, several of the rookies took the floor and played very well, getting the Junior ‘Dawgs their first win of the season, 25-18.
In their second match of the day, Salukis faced the perennially-strong, home-town Warriors. In the first set, the team learned from their first match and came out with confidence and defeated a surprised St. Mikes squad, 25-23.
In the second set, the team looked impressive and were winning 19-14, but got stuck in a rotation with poor passing. With each point gained by the Warriors, Salukis lost their confidence allowing the Warriors to battle back and claim a 25-22 win.
In the tie-breaking set, the St. Marys team struggled to find its groove and lost the set 25-13 and the match.
“For their first matches of the season, the team did very well with the fundamental skills of passing, setting, blocking and hitting, but needs to work on their understanding of positional play and the transitions from offence to defence,” coach Ian Moore said.
“Great leadership throughout the day was shown by Grade 10 students and team veterans Jack Aarts and Thomas Kooy.”
Seniors go 1-1 in openers
Last Thursday at St. Michael, the DCVI Senior boys volleyball squad claimed a hard-fought, three-set decision against Listowel. After losing the opening set 25-23, Salukis defeated the Lightning 25-22 and 26-24.
Against host St. Mikes, the Warriors won 25-16 and 25-9.
Upcoming: The DCVI boys volleyball teams are back in league action Thursday, Oct. 3 at South Huron.
