"We were unstoppable": Junior Boys Volleyball Team Wins CISAA Championships

“I have to admit; when our practices first started we were kind of rusty. Our passes were normally shanked and our setting was quite off. All I could think was: we need some improvement,” said Reid. With hard work and practice, the team improved, with their middles stepping up their blocking skills and the rest of the team covering all hits. After that, according to Reid, the team became “unstoppable.” They found their rhythm and became “a wrecking ball headed for an abandoned building. Our passing was straight to the target and we made sets more beautiful than a sunset on a cloudy day and hits that could break bones.”

After a successful season, the team faced Toronto Montessori School in the semi-finals on Saturday, November 1. In the championship match against Country Day School later that same day, blockers Andrew Boright and Alex Sterling continued to block with great ease and pound the ball to the floor, while Matt Phillips and Ben Tigert provided consistent bumps to the setter in order to set up power hitter Reid. Griffin Harvey made some clutch serves in the final set, to bring home the championship banner. Michael Griff played a crucial role in the team’s defensive play, making some outstanding digs in the backcourt. David McGill showed great improvement over the course of the season as well, and made some fantastic serves in the semi-finals. But the teammates agree that they couldn’t have done it without their playmaker, JJ McIlquham, who set a Greenwood record by being the first junior girl to play on the boys’ team.

According to Reid, a lot of the credit for the team’s success goes to coach Martha Hall. “We were rusty in the beginning, and only a good coach can turn rust to shine,” said Reid. “She’s the one who pulled us from our ditch and created a winning team. I feel like we’re prepared and ready for the season next year.”

Congratulations to the boys and JJ on their accomplishments this season!