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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, February 26, 2010 · 46 Raiders prevent Drury repeat RAIDERS ROLL: Gisella Panza of the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders pounds the ball past the block of E.C. Drury's Bri Rector during Wednesday's Halton senior girls' volleyball AA championship game at Sheridan College. Aquinas won its third Halton title in four years with a straight-set victory, finishing the year with a 22-0 mark in league play. ERIC RIEHL / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Aquinas seniors atone for last year's collapse in final with another opening to steal a victory, Aquinas reeled off seven consecutive points behind the serving of Cassie Rogers With the E.C. Drury Spartans on the and the blocking of Reynolds and verge of tying up Wednesday's Halton Michayla Caughlin. senior girls' volleyball final, Jess Facing match point, Drury fought back Reynolds took advantage of a timeout to to tie the game 24-24 but the Raiders deliver a message to her teammates. again refused to crumble. They took the "This is for all the practices we've been next two points to capture their third to," said the Grade 12 St. Thomas Halton title in four years. Aquinas student. "This is for all the times "That was so rewarding," said Gisella we got up early to practice, for all the Panza, a second-year starter at power. times we were sick but went to practice "Five of those girls on the floor left even though we didn't want to be there. here crying last year," said Raiders coach This is what we've worked for. Peter Szpakowski. "Being here This is not going to happen "Five of those last year really helped them. again." We were a young team last girls on the floor With that last statement, it left here crying year. They just had a little was clear that the year-old more poise and maturity and last year. Being wounds suffered by the they were able to pick their Raiders had not quite healed. here last year spots." The Raiders entered last year's really helped It was fighting the urge to final having won two straight them." try and match the Spartans in AA titles and looked well on a power game that allowed the their way to a third after a n Aquinas coach Raiders to win the opener and convincing victory in the Peter Szpakowski rally in the second set. The opening set against the Raiders skillfully found the Spartans. But Drury came back to holes, tipping balls over the Drury blocks outscore Aquinas 40-8 over the final two and dropping them into gaps in the games, taking 21 of 22 points during one Spartans' defence. And even though the stretch. Spartans anticipated that game plan, they "That was embarrassing," Reynolds were often unable to defend against it. recalls. "Peter's teams always move the ball One year later, the Raiders came into around," said Drury coach Kevin the final at Sheridan College with a per- Houldcroft. "They tipped well and were fect 11-0 record, having not dropped a very disciplined. They passed the ball betsingle set in league play. They had again ter and that's what got us in the end." taken the opening set 25-14-- their 23rd As excited as they were to avenge last set victory in a row. But now the Milton year's loss, the Raiders have not yet school was threatening to even things attained their goal. They must still win a up, leading 22-17. Could it be happening Golden Horseshoe Athletic Conference again? challenge game in order to advance to the "We couldn't let that thought cross Ontario Federation of School Athletic our minds," Reynolds said. "You let that Associations (OFSAA) AA tournament. get into your mind. We had to show Having made sacrifices to reach this them we were back." point, Reynolds is willing to make one Unwilling to provide the Spartans more for the chance to play at the provincial high school championship. "This shows hard work does pay off," she said. "And as much as I don't want to be in Perth for my birthday, we'll make the most of it." Aquinas will host the Academie Catholic Mere-Teresa Jaguars either Monday or Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. with the winner advancing to OFSAA. By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF -845-