Spirits Use Experience To Defeat Toilers
Photos and story by Robert Thomas
Tuesday evening was a battle between experience as the Vanier Spirits took on the Peacock Toilers in senior girls volleyball action.
At the end of the evening the more experienced Spirits won three sets to one set for the Toilers to take the match.
The first set saw the Spirits win 25 - 21.
The second set was another win for the Spirits 25 - 21.
The Toilers managed to win the third set 25 - 17.
The fourth set went to the Spirits as they won 25 -14.
The Toilers Alison Couldon-Brown spikes the ball - MJ Independent photo
“It’s early in the season,” Peacock Toilers head coach Lorne Polupski said after the season opening loss.
“We have two grade 12s. The team is really from grades 11 and 10. We have lots to learn,” Polupski said, adding “with two grade 12s we are looking for a bit of a rebuild here.”
“Our passing sucked tonight it’s something we are going to have to work on.”
A Vanier player sets the ball - MJ Independent photo
Asked if it was just an off night Polupski said it wasn’t.
“It’s just a young team right now and Vanier they played well. They’re a great team and I think they’re mostly grade 12s on the floor right now and that’s the difference,” Polupski said.
Despite the loss Polupski was philosophical.
“You know what you don’t win a city final in the first match of the year, We have a lot of work to do to be in that city final. It’s one of our goals along with a couple of others.”
Devlyn McVlung gets ready to bump the ball - MJ Independent photo
Vanier Spirits head coach Ally Bell said she was pleased with her team’s performance.
“I was happy with how the girls played. They fought, they made some errors and we lost the third set. But we came back and won the fourth (set) so I’m happy,” Bell said.
Spirits Prospects This Season Is Top Heavy With Seniors
The Vanier Spirits senior girls volleyball team is top heavy when it comes to seniors.
The Spirits have an enviable seven grade 12s on their 12 player roster.
“We do have a lot of grade 12s but our main setter got injured so we have a grade 10 setter. So she is super young but she’s doing an amazing job. She is stepping up and playing well. I’m really happy how they are adjusting to her as well.”
The Spirits Haley Molde( foreground) tops the ball against the Toilers Dayna Newberry - Mj independent photo
The seniors bring a lot of experience and talent to the Spirits in 2023.
“Yeah I think everyone brings their own individual experience and their skill set (to the team). Even my grade 10s and grade 11 as well they all have their own skill sets on the court.”
Asked if she felt the worst enemy the Spirits will face this year is complacency given their strong grade 12 core Bell said no it wasn’t what she feared,
Vanier’s Ava Gibbs serves the ball - MJ Independent photo
Bell said the biggest thing the team needed to work on this season this season “was pushing themselves in the mental game.”
For the Spirits the goal for the team is a simple one.
“We’ve set a goal to just play our best and not give up on every game. Last year we played really well but it got in our heads a lot. This year our goal is to just play our best and stay positive and fighting in every game,” Bell said.
The ball teeter totters on the net - MJ independent photo
The Toilers Are Thinking Big
Despite coaching a young team Polupski said the Toilers are thinking big. He said they are aiming to do well not just in city play but right on up into provincials.
Lofty goals he admits but still are possible but to get there will take a lot of work.
“I hope by the end of the year we build a team that is nice and strong and is going to compete in city’s, regionals and provincials,” he said.
Peacock’s Alison Coulson-Brown bumps the ball - MJ Independent photo
Asked what it was going to take to reach the potential the team had to go on into a provincials run Polupski said it was going “to take a lot of work.”
Along with the work it will also include “a lot of learning.”
“A lot of these girls come from a junior program where the coaches did a really good job but there’s a lot to learn about volleyball,” he said.
Polupski sees his young team as a positive for the Toilers program in the long run. With lots of raw developing talent the next few years.
Another thing Polupski said he is looking for is for the two seniors to step up and become leaders of the team in order to unlock the Toilers potential.
Bump - MJ independent photo
Peacocks next opponent is a rare Thursday night matchup versus Notre Dame.
Polupski said he didn’t know what to expect from Notre Dame other than they are highly competitive team.
The match gets underway at 7 pm.
He said he expected the senior girls league to be a close and competitive league this season.
Vanier’s Eva Gibbs (right) jumps to tip the ball over the net - mj independent photo
Full House At The Peacock Roost
For the first game of the season the bleachers in the Peacock gym were largely full with loud cheering for both teams.
Polupski said when Peacock and Vanier meet both teams draw in large fan bases to pack out the gym.
“It was a good crowd. It’s always a good crowd. This is the cheapest entertainment in town why wouldn’t you come out here?”
“I love it (a full house). You were going to see that the whole year between Vanier and Peacock. They are good friends and they bring a lot of people out.,” Polupski said.
The admission cost for league play is FREE.
The Spirits Madeline Cruz sets the ball - mj independent photo
OTHER SENIORS PLAY
In senior boys play the Vanier Vikings won 3 sets to 1 set to defeat the Peacock Toilers.
The scores in the first set was 25 - 23 for the Vikings.
The second set was 25 - 17 for the Vikings.
The third set was 25 - 18 for the Toilers.
The fourth set was 25 - 23 for the Vikings.
Meanwhile Cornerstone senior boys won 3 sets to 1 set to defeat Avonlea.
The results of three other games played on Tuesday evening were not available at publication time.
