Cyclones set the bar high
Mya Newton has been a perfect fit for the E.L. Crossley senior girls volleyball team.
The 15-year-old, Grade 10 student still had a year of junior eligibility remaining, but Cyclones head coach Michelle Gibson saw too much potential to leave Newton at the junior level.
“She’s a highly skilled middle player so we knew that was a position we wanted to have an extra athlete in,” Gibson said. “She brings a lot of talent, energy and positivity.”
Gibson, who coaches the Cyclones along with Jessica Kropac, realizes what a big jump it is from junior to senior for a 15-year-old.
Mya Newton
“We don’t do it for everybody. You want to make sure you follow due process and the parents are on board and the junior and senior coaches are on board. We don’t do it all the time. It’s case by case.”
Newton has slipped into the lineup seamlessly, on and off the court.
“It’s so much fun. I love it,” the Fonthill resident said. “I get along with the older girls better and feel I fit in better.
“My skill level is matched with their level so it’s easier to get to know them and fit in better.”
Gibson loves Newton’s skill set and level of maturity.
“She has such a positive attitude and she’s really good at rallying the team and keeping everyone going. She’s a force to contend with in the middle for sure.
“(She’s) the total package.”
Newton was humble but confident when asked about playing against players two and three years her senior.
“I honestly haven’t found an issue with it at all. I feel like I fit right in.”
Newton played at the club level with the Niagara Rapids until this season when she moved to the Halton Hurricanes.
“It’s going really well,” she said. “It’s my first year with them and we’re first in the province.”
Newton’s play has helped Crossley to an undefeated season in Niagara Region High School Athletic Association play. The Cyclones also captured the title at their own tournament earlier this season and done well at several other tournaments.
“This year has been amazing,” Gibson said.
Gibson pointed to the level of talent on the team as one of the big reasons for the teams success.”
“This team is good because we were handed an amazing talent pool,” she said. “The majority of them play club, and the junior coaches they had last year, it came together.
“Jessica and I knew we just had to work them and fill different roles and keep them working as a team because they are very talented.”
The Cyclones have set a goal to advance to OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations) this season, but must first win the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association A title first. The Cyclones will host the winner of Simcoe-Eden Monday at 2 for the SOSSA crown.
“We’ve take it one goal at a time and then go bit by bit with what we were working towards with the end goal always being OFSSA,” Gibson said. “It’s a lot of hard work along the way and no regrets. Work your hardest and you should be able to get there.”
Other members of the team are: Emma Brownlee, 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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