Mitchell Fox December 2019
Note: This is the extended version of an article in the printed edition for Semester 1.
At the Woodlands Secondary School, no one thing sticks out more than the rest. This applies for academics - from music and drama to math and science, every subject has brought accolades of some variety - and for extracurriculars - as clubs such as Robotics, DECA and Debate join sports teams in bringing in trophy after trophy. But one can look no further than the legacy of Senior Boys Volleyball to see that the Woodlands’ spirit - one of heart and soul combined with an incredible drive for success - is unmatched.
In the past three seasons alone, the team won 13 of 18 regular-season games and advanced to the playoffs each year. In 2016-17 and 2017-18, the team went undefeated in the regular season in Tier 2 but unfortunately were unable to bring home any championships. Last year, they played in Tier 1 and went 4-5 in the regular season, followed by a bit of a heart-breaking loss to Streetsville Secondary in the AA Semi-Finals. Thus, given the success of the past few seasons, there was a bit of unspoken pressure on the shoulders of the team. At the same time, there was also hope for a better result. Nevertheless, the focus of the team was on competing this year, and when it came time to play, the past was far in the rearview mirror for players and coaches alike, returning or not.
Things got started early in September. Tryouts saw a large number of formidable players show up and give everything they had to be a part of one of the best sports teams at the school. About two weeks later, the team was posted and the real thing was about to start.
Ms. Martin worked her team hard, as there were at least three or four practices per week (depending on games, that is). Her passion for the sport, and her beloved team, is truly unparalleled, as can be seen by the way she jumps up and down with every play. Ms. Martin’s incredible passion fuelled the team’s drive for success, and the result was a good one.
This year, the team kicked off with a big 2-0 set victory over Our Lady of Mount Carmel, easily proving their worth in Division 1. The next three games brought forth some terrific battles, including a nail-biting 2-1 set loss against Rick Hansen which included three incredibly close sets (a 25-21 victory, followed by 26-24 and 15-13 losses). While the team did lose all three of these games, there was light in the fact that these were likely the three toughest opponents they would face in the regular season. This was shown to be true, as the team won all of their next three games, later finishing off with a 5-3 record and third place in the division. The team finished the regular season having outscored opponents 413-395.
The playoffs began with an absolute barn burner right here at The Woodlands. On November 6, The Woodlands hosted St. Joan of Arc, a team which they had beaten earlier in the season, in a quarter-final matchup. An important thing to note is that in the playoffs, three sets, rather than the usual two, are needed to win. Woodlands took the first set in a tiebreaker (26-24) but Joan of Arc came right back with a 25-21 victory in the second set. But the Woodlands is not a team to give in, and they proved to have a lot left in the tank. The next two sets were highly eventful and excruciatingly intense, but the boys pulled it off; a 25-21 victory in the third set, followed by a narrow 25-23 victory in the fourth. The Woodlands took the match three sets to one, and after a long, intense game, were off to the ROPSSAA Semi-Finals.
The opponent would be Mississauga Secondary, a team that had beaten Woodlands in three sets earlier in the season. Unfortunately, the team would be even less fortunate this time around. With their home crowd behind them and in their gym, Mississauga’s skill and strength came out in full force - leading to a three-set sweep of The Woodlands. However, the team did not go down without a fight, as they worked hard for every point and never quit - even putting up their best score in the third and final set. It was an unfortunate end to a great season for the Senior Boys Volleyball team, but they can be proud of how far they made it.
Volleyball at The Woodlands has been relatively successful for a long time now, and this year, the Senior Boys team kept this going with valiant efforts in every game they played. While the playoff result may not have been as good as some may have hoped, there is a lot to look forward to in the future of not only the Senior Boys Volleyball team, but of all sports teams at The Woodlands. A school that is often known for its academics, clubs and incredible community may be beginning to extend some of that into sports; something which makes a significant difference in the lives of people all over the world every single day. In some small way, the Senior Boys Volleyball team may be helping pave the way for an even brighter future all around for The Woodlands.
Image: The Senior Boys Volleyball team won a tournament early in the season. A great way to kick things off in 2019.
Image: Some actions shots taken during Woodlands home games. Some great skill was showcased throughout the season.
Photos courtesy of the Woodlands Athletic Association (WAA) and their executive team.
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