a news story by Katie P.
The Belle River girls’ volleyball team wrapped up a successful season finishing 22-8 and third in the league. The team prevailed in most of their games suffering their only losses to Amherst, Massey and unfortunately St. Anne’s. Capping off the regular season was an exciting game against their rival Sandwich at the BRDHS gym. The first game went to the Nobles as they combined their aggressive attack with some decisive defense. The girls were flat footed in the second game as the Sabres reversed the roles and laid the attack on the Nobles. Like all good teams, Belle River bounced right back in the third game. League MVP Jessica Shepley led the attack as the girls proved to be too much to handle. Belle River won the game 25-23 and the match 2-1.
“The Nobles have had a very successful season up to this point. The girls have continuously improved every aspect of their game and are playing their best volleyball at a crucial time of the season,” commented Coach Kassian on the progress of the season and the important games ahead.
With the regular season at their backs, the team looked ahead to a new season, the playoffs. The ladies were seeded first in AAA following the victory over Sandwich and were rewarded a bye to the semi finals. The team consisting mostly of veterans was looking for some redemption after coming up empty handed the last three years. In end the girls walked away with gold medals around their necks. They battled Sandwich in the final and left the gym with their heads held high. They beat the Sabres 3-1 to become WECSAA AAA champs.
Only one more obstacle stood between the girls and OFSAA, Chatham-Kent. The Nobles opened strong with impressive wins in game 1 and game 2. Unfortunately the girls let C-K back into game 3 and couldn’t fend off their attack any longer. Chatham-Kent won 3-2. Although they did not reach OFSAA, the team should be proud of themselves for capturing a WECSAA title and playing hard all year. If the game had been determined on will, the Nobles would have won. As a veteran myself, I wish the team best of luck in the future and I am sure this won’t be the last WECSAA title for Belle River girls volleyball.
