Myer senior girls rule Zone 3 AAA volleyball
Heading into the Zone 3 senior girls AAA volleyball final against the Greater Fort Erie Gryphons, A.N. Myer Marauders head coach Cheryl Mancuso knew her team was in for a battle.
“We had split with Fort Erie prior to the zone championship so we knew that it would be a tough match,” she said. “Momentum is crucial in volleyball, with a point being awarded on every serve. As a team we served well which assisted us with keeping that momentum going.”
The Marauders would eventually prevail and ended up winning the match 3-0 (25-16. 25-16 and 25-16).
“There were great plays made on both sides of the net and we worked hard to take the win in three sets,” Mancuso said. “It was a pleasure to have had the opportunity to coach the senior girl’s volleyball team at Myer and I am very proud of the team. It was a difficult go but I am thrilled that the girls were able to have a season.”
Like every team, the Marauders faced challenges along the way, dealing with all that COVID could throw at it.
“As you can imagine, every team had to work hard to establish and keep team cohesion and momentum going through a season full of uncertainty. We played only one match before everything was placed on hold and we were unsure whether we would be able to restart.”
Myer finished in a three-way tie for third in the seven-team Niagara Region High School Athletic Association AA/AAA league with a 4-3 record, winning its final two games of the regular season.
“We started to gel as a team as we got to play more matches,” Mancuso said. “Our league was fairly balanced, with any school being able to take the win depending on the day. Consistency was key.”
She attributed her team’s successful season and Zone 3 crown to a total team effort.
“Due to injury, illness, etc., we struggled to field our full team throughout the entire season. We had a core group of girls that were at every practice, working hard to develop their skills. During each set and match we had different players that stepped up.”
Mancuso felt the consistency, leadership and all-round versatility of Andrea Brennan as a hitter, setter and libero were the glue that held the Marauders together as a team.
But there were plenty of significant contributions from others as well.
“Both Sylvia Fedak and Maggie Mancuso were solid and consistent in middle throughout the season. Lina Elkayed and Zoe Abraham showed their competitiveness at the net and on defence. Tia Kelly’s experience as setter shined through for us. Kayla Etezadi and Paige Kemp along with our Grade 11s, Marielle Zapata, Ainsley Bowman and Katie Beaudoin, showed incredible growth and were key contributors in multiple positions and situations.”
The Zone 3 final concluded Myer’s season.
“It is unfortunate that the girls will not have the opportunity to participate at a SOSSA (Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association) championship, but it has been great to see them back with their peers, playing a sport that they enjoy,” Mancuso said.
