Spirits Escape Cougar Attack
Photos and Story by Robert Thomas
The Vanier Spirits continued their winning ways on Tuesday evening as they defeated a feisty Briercrest Christian Academy Cougars 3 sets to 2 sets in Moose Jaw City high school senior girls volleyball action.
The Cougars were a surprise to the Spirits as they took a much more experienced Vanier team to the wire in the first set losing 25 - 22 to the home team.
The second set saw the Cougars collapse unable to return the Spirits powerhouse spikes. Vanier easily won the second set 25 - 13.
Looking as if they were set to be swept a different Cougars team turned up for the third set where they dominated play.
At the same time the Spirits seemed drained and lost the set 25 - 14.
The fourth set saw the Spirits rise taking the lead only to see the Cougars claw their way back into a 17 - 17 tie.
The Spirits would take a temporary lead of 18 - 17 only to see the Cougars once again tie it up at 18 - 18 on an unorthodox one hand return by Briercrest’s number 2 Taryn.
The Cougars would add an additional unanswered seven points to win the fourth set with a score of 25 - 18.
The unorthodox one hand clenched fist return surprised the Spirits who had just retaken an 18 - 17 lead in the fourth set.
The Cougars would add seven more unanswered points to win what had been a hotly contested fourth set - MJ Independent photo
The fifth and deciding set saw the Spirits offence kick it into high gear winning 15 - 5.
The win gives the Spirits a 2 - 0 record in Moose Jaw senior girls volleyball high school.
The loss moves the Cougars to an 0 - 2 record.
Coach’s Comments
Despite the loss in five sets Cougars head coach Kayla Jacobs was satisfied with her team’s efforts on the evening.
“We like a high pressure situation. What can I say the girls are still really young and are learning how to play together,” Jacobs said.
The young Cougar squad is still trying to find its legs in the hunt for wins but the team is rapidly progressing, Jacobs said.
“Every set we add chemistry and we get a little bit stronger,” she said.
Asked about the Cougars clawing back to a 17 - 17 tie in the fourth set only to fall back 18 - 17 and then tie it up again 18 - 18 on a one hand punch return she said it was nerve wracking.
“As a coach you’re sitting on the sidelines dying inside a little bit. But the players are great,” she said.
The Cougars are a young team.
The team from Caronport consists of four grade 12 students and one grade 11 student.
The bulk of the team are grade 10 students.
“I have a lot of grade tens.”
Jacobs said the strong run the Cougars had against the grade 12 top heavy Spirits on Tuesday evening was because of the players.
“I’m impressed with what they have learnt. They are a super coachable team. They play well together. And they are super good to each other.”
“I’ve been really impressed with these girls.”
Jacobs said the Cougars not yet winning a match or weak play in sets was due to her inexperience in coaching.
“I think a lot of it is coaching decisions. I think I am a lot to blame for some of the things going on because I’m still figuring out player chemistry and that sort of thing.”
Jacobs gave kudos to the Spirits.
“They (the Spirits) are a good team.”
In their first match of the season the Cougars took on the Cornerstone Christian School Falcons.
The Cougars had an identical record against the Falcons.
Losing the first two sets to the Falcons only to come back and win the next to sets to force a fifth and deciding set.
A set the Falcons won to win the match 3 sets to 2 sets.
Season Goal For The Cougars
Jacobs said the Cougars had a simple goal for their season in the Moose Jaw city league. To be a competitive team.
“Honestly I would like to have a competitive team,” she said, adding “and I think we have a competitive team.”
Encouraging the team to have fun while being competitive is the Cougars goal this season, she said.
“For me it’s important that the girls love to play and they live to play after the season is done. So we are just working on to just have a good environment. Being kind to everyone and playing a good game of volleyball,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs is optimistic with the Cougars chances in the league given every set played goes towards teams’ individual records.
Asked about the teams play so far this season Jacobs said “I’m so impressed with the team.”
“I’ve been super impressed. Just mentally prepped girls which is very impressive for a high school team.”
“They are just a group of girls who work really hard and they’re awesome.”
Jacobs said she herself is new to the league and so unsure where the Cougars matchup against other teams but just being competitive and having fun is enough to ask of the players.
The Vanier Spirits next game is a home game on Thursday September 28th when they take on the visiting Central Cyclones.
The Briercrest Christian Academy Cougars next game is a home game in Caronport on Thursday September 28th at 6:20 pm as the Notre Dame Hounds will be paying a visit.
The other high school senior girls volleyball matchup will see Peacock Toilers take on the Cornerstone Christian School Falcons at 8 pm on September 28th.
The other senior girls matchup saw Central defeat Peacock 3 - 1.
Set scores were 20 - 25, 21 - 25, 25 - 23 and 23 - 25 for the home team Central Cyclones.
Scores on Tuesday evening for senior boys were:
Vanier Vikings defeating the visiting Avonlea team 3 - 0.
Assiniboia Rockets defeated the Cornerstone Falcons 3 - 2.