Manitoulin Secondary wins the North Shore title on home turf
by Sandi Kuntsi
M’CHIGEENG—Bump, set, spike, cheer. The MSS boys hosted the North Shore Secondary School Association (NSSSA) volleyball finals on Wednesday, November 9.
Coached by Peter Kategiannis and managed by Sydney Koehler, the team of 10 boys have gone undefeated in their regular season tournaments. The MSS Mustang boys’ volleyball team consists of Brandon Boyle, Parker Dickinson, Bryce Draper, Greg Doane, Devon Gelaznikas, Zach Kategiannis, Cole King, Matthew Redmond, James Scott and Tait Wallace.
Four schools competed in the NSSSA tournament. The attending schools were W.C. Eckett, Jeneusse Nord, Espanola High School and Manitoulin Secondary School. The first game was between W.C. Eckett Royals and the Mustangs. The starting lineup for MSS was Devon Gelaznikas, James Scott, Parker Dickinson, Tait Wallace, Greg Doane and Bryce Draper. MSS won the first set with a score of 25-19, the second set with a score of 25-20, and the third set with a score of 25-21, qualifying for the finals. The second game was between Espanola and Jeneusse Nord.
Espanola won the first set with a score of 25-16, the second set with a score of 25-18, and the final set with a score of 25-20, also qualifying for the finals.
Wednesday was a buy-out opportunity, so students could pay two dollars to get out of class and watch the finals and support their team. At 1:15 students and staff of MSS started pouring into the bleachers. While Espanola Spartans and the MSS Mustangs warmed up, music played to get the students pumped up. Mr. Gurney welcomed everyone to the game by calling each member of the Espanola Spartans to the court. Everyone in the gym welcomed the opposing team. Mr. Gurney began announcing the MSS Mustangs, announcing his number, height and nickname. As each member jogged onto the court, they were welcomed by loud cheering and clapping from their teachers, friends, and family. When the entire team had been announced and joined by their coach and manager, the teams got set up for their match.
At the beginning of the first set Espanola was ahead by seven points, but MSS rallied and the Mustangs won with a final score of 25-21. Upon switching sides, the Mustangs had the first serve and took a five point lead before Espanola got possession of the ball. The set was very even as both teams were very focused on winning. The second match ended with a score of 25-22 for MSS. The final set was also close. Bryce Draper scored the winning point, bringing the final score to 25-23. Students and staff in the bleachers cheered for the boys, as the two teams shook hands and congratulated each other on qualifying for Northern Ontario Secondary School Athletics championships.
Zach Kategiannis, a Grade 11 volleyball player, said, “Today was awesome. We did really well in all of our sets, but the very first set we played was definitely the best one. We were really together during that game. I’m excited for NOSSA for sure.”
Bryce Draper, a Grade 12 volleyball player, said, “We did a really good job today. I think we played the best in the second match, against Espanola. I think that personally I played pretty well, and as a team we were all in sync. Getting the winning point was a huge rush. I was just so happy about it.”
Mr. Gurney congratulated each team on their achievement, and the medal ceremony began. As Mr. Gurney named each player on the Spartans team, their coach Mr. Vermeer presented them with their silver medals. Mr. Kategiannis looked proud of his team, as he and Sydney presented them with their gold championship medals. After another round of handshakes with the Spartans, the Mustangs gathered in a group for their team picture. Smiling widely, pride radiated from the boys.
On Thursday, November 17 the MSS boys’ volleyball team will host Northern Ontario Secondary School Association (NOSSA) in M’Chigeeng.
Coach Kategiannis said, “We did a pretty good job today. The second match was definitely the best. The guys really tried, and they were really together. Once they finished their warm up in the first set, they really got into it. I think we have a good chance at winning NOSSA.”
