Cyclones hold off Flyers for SOSSA title
The E.L. Crossley Cyclones punched their ticket to OFSAA in dramatic fashion.
Playing before a packed gym on their home court, the Cyclones raced out to a quick two-set lead over the Eden Flyers, then had to rally after the Flyers roared back to force a fifth and deciding set at the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association (SOSSA) senior girls AA volleyball championship Tuesday at Crossley.
The Cyclones, who prevailed 25-15, 25-16, 23-25, 13-25 and 15-11, now advance to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championships in Amherstburg.
Crossley head coach Michelle Gibson admitted it was difficult to watch the ups and downs with so much on the line.
“It was hard. We talked to them a lot about resiliency and just playing your game and pushing through and eventually they would come out on top,” she said. “The first two sets they played amazing and then lost their focus and were playing a bit more safe than they should of, but in the end they started hitting harder and went for it.
“They wanted it bad.”
Cyclones captain Emma Brownlee managed to calm down for few minutes to reflect on the win following a raucous celebration following the final point.
“It was terrifying,” she smiled. “We knew they were a really good team. We’ve played them so many times and they’re super talented. We just had to come out and having the mindset of never giving up and keep pushing.
“It was tough but we just had to keep on our mental game.”
Brownlee, a Grade 12 student who plays at the travel level for the Niagara Rapids, appreciated the support of the student body.
“It was so fun. We had the whole school coming and we were putting it out on our social media and made it a Spirit Day so it would be so much more crazy.”
Gibson agreed.
“We love it. It was great. The energy was amazing and the fans were great. It was an all around great experience.”
The Cyclones are heading to OFSAA for the first time in a decade. Gibson also coached the school’s boys volleyball team to a birth at OFSAA, the first time both teams qualified in the same year.
“We’re going to try and medal. I think we have an opportunity to go championship side with this team,” she said. “It’s amazing.”
The Cyclones leave for Amherstburg Sunday with play to begin Monday morning.
“I’m super excited. It’s going to be so much fun,” Brownlee added.
Eden head coach Bill Markham was proud of his team’s resiliency.
“We have a lot of young players and to be put in this environment — the fans were great and the intensity was there — they could have easily rolled over and given up after those first two sets,” he said. “We got beat good in the first set but for them to come back and be resilient like that, I’m super proud of them.”
Markham feels the experience will only help his young squad down the road.
“These are the best growth opportunities. They’re just going to be better and stronger for it next year.”
He also tipped his cap to the Cyclones for a job well done.
“Kudos to Crossley. They are a very good team,” he said. “I’m really proud of Crossley. They deserved to win that.”
Other members of the Cyclones are: Mya Newton, Taylor Dellemonache, Hannah Nicholls, Sydney Grummett, Emma Hilts, Jessica Konkle, Katherine Konkle, Pooja Senthil, Kaileigh Smith, Maddy Smith, Grace Teal and Emma Wintle.
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