Junior volleyball Blazers continue undefeated streak

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Kristen Coughlar

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EMC Sports - Hard work, dedication and attention to the fundamentalsthat has been the Bayridge Secondary School junior girls' volleyball team's formula for success this season.

The undefeated Blazers celebrated their 10th victory of the season, with a 3-0 win over the Frontenac Secondary School Falcons.

One of the girls' first games of the season was against the now third ranked Sydenham Golden Eagles. It was during that game that the girls realized they have what it takes to be competitive within the league.

"We ended up winning that game and we were like 'Wow, we can actually keep up with some of the top teams in the league,'" said setter Katie Zohorsky.

Zohorsky noted that the team's focus on the fundamentals in practice is what has lead to the team's success thus far in the season.

"We've really focused throughout the year on passing because without a pass we can't do anything."

In fact, Coach Tom Worthy said he believes he may have bored the girls to tears the first three weeks of practice with just passing.

"Teams want to hit the ball, they want to do all the advanced things, but nothing can happen without the fundamentals," he said.

That attention to the fundamentals has paid off. Now the team is beginning to focus on its blocking and generating attacks.

"It's almost like they've hit this cusp...You see Alex out there, No. 6, all of a sudden a kid that was sort of tentative with the ball is finding her own. She's starting to own the blocking."

Zohorsky noted that Worthy's coaching has played a key role in the team's development.

"He's really committed to us."

She noted that while the team is still hesitant in some areas of the game, it is improving with every practice.

After defeating Frontenac last Thursday, the Blazers now have just two games left before they enter the playoff season, the first against the second ranked Regiopolis-Notre Dame Panthers, and the second against the ninth ranked La Salle Black Knights.

While Zohorsky noted that a loss has the potential to deflate the team's spirits, she said the teams focus will be on continuing to develop its game and keeping its confidence level high.

"We're definitely in the playoffs, and then we have to focus on getting our act together."

She expects the team's toughest competition moving into the playoffs will be the RND Panthers and Sydenham Golden Eagles, who are ranked second and third in the season standings.

But, as Worthy pointed out, just as the Blazers are improving so too are all the teams in the league.

"Any night it could be anybody's game and the idea is to put it in your heads not to give it away," he said.

"We have to keep progressing every time we touch a ball, and if we don't other teams will take us, that's just the nature of the game."

The Blazers will visit RND on Feb. 7 at 3:30 p.m. for its second last game of the regular season. To keep track of the team's progress visit www.kassaa.ca

kcoughlar@perfprint.ca




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