Back row left to right, Mrs. Brown, Ben Sollors, Mr. Smith, Ryan Renaud, Sam Kozalenko, Cameron Smith, David Parsons, Jake Lawrence, Owen Burkhart, Chad Lawrence and Nick Lalonde in red. Kneeling left to right, David Taylor, Adam Perry, Wyatt McNabb, Austin Dunlop.

Submitted by Tim Smith

The Northport Cougar Boys Volleyball team finished the season with a win at the Bluewater Elementary Sports Council (BESC) Championship. Their journey began back in October with many practices after school and early mornings. As the days grew darker and colder the boys kept attending practices and it all paid off Tuesday, January 31 at OSCVI.

Early in the season the team finished 3rd in the early bird Owen Sound District Secondary School tournament and closer to Christmas break won the Walkerton District Community School tournament. The team was divided into a Senior and Junior team for the Walkerton event and the Junior team consisting of only grade 5 and 6 students won three of their eight sets and finished 4th in their pool. This was a terrific finish for such a young squad competing against teams with Grade 7 and 8 players.

The team took a break over the Christmas holidays and returned hoping to play in the 1st annual Saugeen District Elementary tournament but a number of teams cancelled last minute and the tournament was cancelled.

The Cougars next tournament, the West Regional BESC qualifier which was them up against teams from Paisley, G.C. Huston, Arran Tara and École Port Elgin Saugeen Central (ÉPESC), was hosted at Saugeen District Secondary School in Port Elgin. The Cougars finished 1st in their pool and defeated ÉPESC 2-0 in the championship match 25-15, 25-15. This win would advance the team to the BESC tournament.

While the day did not start well for the team, they managed to secure two wins defeating Hillcrest 2-0 (26-24 and 25-20). After a team discussion there was hope that they would meet their next opponent, Mildmay, with a more up tempo and balanced attack. With a first set victory 25-13 coach Tim Smith was pleased to have his team compete but then set 2 was a loss 21-25. This split was followed by another with Osprey 25-6 and 20-25. After the round robin games were completed the Cougars were declared first in their pool and would play the second place team from the other pool, Huron Heights (Kincardine).

The crowd was entertained with some spectators and coaches under much stress as each point was well contested. The final scores were 25-23 and 25-20 which would set up a rematch for the final with Osprey. Set one was almost perfect for Northport winning 25-9. Strong hitting by Ryan Renaud was made possible by the setting from David Parsons and Jake Lawrence. Set 2 was much closer but Sam Kozalenko and Cameron Smith found their stride from the serving line leading to the win 25-21. Ben Sollors was steady all day with his play in the back court and tough serves.

There is a great future with volleyball at Northport as the younger players made tremendous strides in learning the game throughout the season. Coaches Mrs. Brown and Mr. Smith look forward to working with the players next season.