Mustangs roll into SOSSA
The Saint Michael Mustangs traded sleep for a better chance at a championship, a choice that paid huge dividends Thursday.
The Mustangs topped the Blessed Trinity Thunder 25-23, 25-22, 26-24 in the Zone 2 senior boys volleyball AAA final at BT, avenging a loss to the Thunder in last year’s final.
Mustangs coach Pat Ricci was quick to point out how hard his charges worked for the title.
“We had a lot of adversity this season, Ricci said. “My guys put in a lot of time, 6:30 a.m. practices and sometimes two a day. I have a great core, an incredible core and great leaders.”
Ricci had no problem with the early practices.
“They wanted it. If they’re good and they’re respectful, and it’s a team decision, then we do it,” he said.
The Mustangs aren’t blessed with club players, instead relying on gifted athletes.
“The best part is there’s not too many guys on this team that are volleyball players. It’s not their first sport. They’re athletes who are hard workers and there’s just great camaraderie,” Ricci said.
Veteran Carson Gauthier was all smiles after accepting the championship trophy with co-captain Benjamin Sirie.
“We’re so excited,” Gauthier said. “It’s been a long process. Been playing volleyball with the team every year I’ve been at the school and we’ve been anticipating this.”
The defending champions gave the Mustangs all they could handle, despite the sweep.
“It was a good game. The first game we played them it was also really good. They took us to five and it was back and forth,” Gauthier said. “We came into the gym and we wanted to expect to win. We were confident in our practices and we were practising so much as a team.
“We were hoping for the best and we executed.”
Gauthier said he lives for the pressure of big games.
“It’s stressful, especially in the heat of this gym. It’s a stressful game but that’s why you play it. It’s so much fun,” he said.
Ricci, too, loved the drama.
“There is something to be said for coaching a sport inside a gym that is enclosed, and when it’s as hot as it was today, there was just added tension and anxiety,” he said. “The margin for error is very small. As soon as that whistle blows, as soon as that ball goes into play, you have to be set, have a nice pass and then be able to execute two more after that.
“I thought both teams played incredibly well. We were ready to go into anything in the 20s. We knew it wouldn’t be an easy road.”
The Mustangs now advance to the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association playoffs Nov. 16 at BT.
“We’re excited but we’re going back to work with practices and look at a couple things here. We want to be in contention for that next trophy,” Ricci said.
Blessed Trinity coach Lila Pucci was naturally disappointed with the loss, but could not fault the effort.
“It’s been tough. We’re equally matched and I think both teams had a fair shot at it,” she said. “It’s disappointing. It was nice to take the championship last year and I’m sure they feel the same way coming into our house and doing the same.”
The Thunder graduate five players: Josh Blais, Vincent Pucci, Lukas Boettger, Kyle Veranga and Anthony Hendriks.
“We’re sad to see them go but happy for the progress they made,” Pucci said.
Other members of the Mustangs are: Arwin Chima, Christopher De La Rosa, Lucas Dobson, Hagen Generao, Andrew Karagiannis, Nicholas Karagiannis, Lucas Lukose, Ethan Perri, Nicholas Perrot and Nathan Selman.
The Saint Francis Phoenix swept the Holy Cross Raiders 25-21, 25-19, 25-21 to capture the Zone 2 AA senior boys championship Thursday.
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