The Junior Girls Volleyball team at Thorold Secondary School had an amazing season this year. Not only did this team go undefeated against all other Single A schools this season, they did not even lose a set in the playoffs en route to capture the NRHSAA (Public High school) Zone Championship. The team was thrilled, rightfully so, and this would have been a great ending to a solid season, but the team wanted more.
“Often times during the season the girls would ask for practices on off days; they were dedicated and hungry to practice and learn more,” said Coach Faragalli.
The Golden Eagles then had the opportunity to play the St. Francis Phoenix, who were the NCAA championship team. As is the case now in high school sports, the top Public team plays the top Catholic team to become the Overall Zone Champion; the winner then earns the right to represent the Zone at the SOSSA Championships. So, they travelled to St. Francis and played a very polished Phoenix team. The matches were close, though, Thorold was victorious and beat them in straight sets, not losing one. The Golden Eagles were now Zone 4 Champions.
Excited and proud, the team kept working hard and on March 5, 2019, competed at SOSSA, the winner being the best Single ‘A’ Junior Volleyball team in all of Southern Ontario. In their first match of the day, they beat Mckinnon Park from Caledonia in three straight sets. They were then on to the Finals against Hamilton District, who had just beaten E.L. Crossley. And, as if you are mind readers, they won again in three straight sets. The other teams just didn’t have an answer to their balanced attack and scrappy, never-give-up, defense.
The junior girls of Thorold Secondary are now the 2019 SOSSA Champions!
Team members include:
Mya Conway, Emily DeRoos, Reagan DeRoos, Grace Drummond, Julia Garrah, Shyanne Laundry, Shauntelle Marchan, Hope Nicholson, Emma-Li Sikhanxay, Aaliyah Uppal, Laura Walton, Regan Wier, and Natalie Yarnell. Coaches: Domenic Faragalli and Christy Graham
