Phoenix finish strong
The St. Francis Phoenix put a bow on another perfect regular season, defeating the Lakeshore Catholic Gators in straight sets Wednesday to finish with a 7-0 record in Niagara Catholic Athletic Association senior boys volleyball play.
The Phoenix topped the Gators 25-11, 25-18, 25-15 to place first and finish undefeated for a second straight season.
Coach Frank Napoli took over the team halfway through the season three years ago and the program has blossomed.
“We have some good athletes here and some great kids that want to learn,” Napoilo said. “We have no club players. That’s what we are.”
This year’s squad features a good mix of graduating players and Grade 11s.
“We have a good nucleus so when I started three years ago we didn’t have a junior team,” Napoli said. “It was kind of tough that some of these kids played varsity so I’ve had them for three years. Now that we have a good nucleus coming out of junior with our junior coaches it’s easier to transition because we keep the same system.”
Without any standout club players, the Phoenix rely on a team approach centred around co-captains Levi Boyer and Nolan Freel.
“My role is to keep everyone together and keep everyone positive, focus on the game and move on from bad points,” said Boyer, a 17-year-old, Grade 12 student who normally lines up as the right-side setter.
Boyer, who also rows and plays squash, said he loves the team approach of the Phoenix.
“We really just try and incorporate everybody because everyone has a role to play. We’re all athletes in other sports — volleyball is nobody’s sport — but it’s nice to be able to play with people who are athletic,” he said.
Boyer admits he has had thoughts of playing at the club level.
“I played a lot in middle school. As soon as volleyball season came up I was the first one to sign up,” he said. “I love playing volleyball but other sports take up most of my time.”
The Phoenix will host a semifinal playoff game Monday followed by the Zone 2 AA final Thursday. The Southern Ontario Secondary School Associations (SOSSA) playoffs are at E.L. Crossley this year.
Other members of the Phoenix are Andrew Ens, Adrian Atwal, Farouk Akasha, Kuba Labanowicz, Kaleb Ernst, Jaden Flora, Johnny Van Bakel, Jack Baiocco, Gabriel Cosentino.
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