Spartans fight to the end

Times Reporter   

 

A close matchup to last year’s league champions displayed much mental growth, but it wasn’t enough; the Strathmore High School (SHS) Spartans varsity boys volleyball team lost to Foothills Composite High School 3-1 on Oct. 16.

“Last year, we didn’t put up such a mentally tough fight, whereas this year we never really gave up,” said Spartans’ Coach Ms. Dundas. “We served so aggressively and they’re a very big offensive team. If we’re able to take them out of a perfect pass, it allows us a little more leeway on our defense.”

The sets were fairly close, with Strathmore losing 20-25, winning 25-20, and then falling 21-25 and 19-25.

“In the second game, we really adapted to what they were doing and we maximized on our strengths, which was awesome,” Dundas said. “A win is always nice, but I think with us competing so well with them, it kind of pushes us to grow and be more focused in practice, because we are right on the cusp of competing with a really high level team.”

Although Dundas said it was an impressive team effort, Grade 10 Matt Cool stepped up to fill in at defence for the first time.

“He picked up a lot of short passes, which can be huge momentum deflators,” Dundas said. “It isn’t always about the big kill. When they’re standing in, and digging those big, hard-hit balls or slowing it up with a block, that’s helping your team out just as much.”

Dundas also mentioned Zach Olson’s passing, Colin Anderson’s shots from uncomfortable positions, and rookie Dion Moncayo’s well-rounded offense.

“They work so hard. They’re just kids that work hard and absorb everything you say,” she said. “When you give them feedback, they’re like, yes, okay, and they make it happen. As a coach, you can’t ask for more than that. I’m really excited to see what they do.”

Following the varsity game, the juniors took the court, and also lost to Foothills Composite High School, but in five sets. It was the junior varsity’s first loss of the season.

“It was back and forth all match, and the sets were widely different; we would lose 14-25, and then come back and win the next,” said Mr. Hintz, junior coach. “Both teams were playing a lot of different lineups, so it ended up with a lot of different results. It was a good match. The guys fought hard, but Foothills were just kind of better yesterday.”

The seniors sit 1-2, while the juniors are 3-1, having won 11 of their 18 sets. Both the juniors and seniors travelled to Holy Trinity Academy on Oct. 21 (results were not available as of press time).