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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2017-01-18, Page 44 Signal Star • Wednesday, January 18, 2017 SUSS Jam www.gaderichsignaist OPtitt • t r>DER/c GDCI holds girls volleyball tournament GDCI Vikings Senior Girls volleyball team The GDCI Vikings Senior Girls volleyball team was host to eight teams for their annual Vikings Invitational Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 14. The Vikes found them- selves in a pool of strong competitors in St. Thomas Aquinas of St. Thomas, North Middlesex of Parkhill and F. E. Madill from Wing - ham. After a hard fought bat- tle, the Vikes fell in their two sets against St. Thomas to start the day, before splitting sets with F. E. Madill and North Middlesex. This placed them in third in their pool and in the consolation pool,for their remaining matches. After the re -pool, the Vikes finished the day strong, win- ning five of their six remain- ing sets against St: Anne's, South Huron and North Middlesex. All of our Vikes showed tremendous improvements in their skills through the course of the day and played key roles in multiple sets. In particular, Madi Conatser and Bailey Van Dorp played some of their best volleyball of the season with Conatser having a very strong day on the attacking side of the ball and Van Dorp providing strong serving performances in a number of very close matches. Veterans Lauren Doherty and Payten Lang provided strong leadership with their composed and positive approach to the game regardless of the chal- lenges faced by the team. The tournament final fea- tured Stratford Northwestern battling St. Thomas Aquinas as a rematch from earlier in the day, where the teams split sets. St. Thomas Aqui- nas eventually emerged the victor despite a gutsy perfor- mance from the Stratford Northwestern squad. The Vikes began prepara- tion for their season in early November and over the course of the season (which started in December) will play 10 Huron Perth league matches against other schools in the local area. In addition to the league sched- ule, the Vikes have also entered into tournaments hosted by Kincardine, Woodstock Collegiate and Fanshawe College, as well as our own home tournament. Rather than focusing on how many medals or matches they win, the Vikes have instead been focusing on developing individual skills and a strong sense of community within their team, as well as the promot- ing physical activity and the sport of volleyball itself. The team has been very successful in meeting and exceeding each of these goals. "We are playing awesome volleyball, getting better each game and learning about hard work and dedica- tion," said Coach Mark Moore. "Most importantly, we are having a boatload of fun while we're doing it!" The team includes 15 members, each contributing unique skills and character attributes. "We have a great mix of first, second and third -year sen- iors," says Moore. "The team dynamic this year is very strong. The girls support each other on and off the court and have set a high standard for practice, games and how they conduct themselves within the school and community." In going along with the theme of community, many of the senior Vikes are hop- ing to help in bringing the Grade 7/8 Volleyball camp back to GDCI this spring. "I have spoken with a number of the girls, as well as some of the senior boys, regarding their interest in helping coach in a develop- ment camp. that has been previously run at the school, said Coach Alex Bogie. "They are very.keen to give back to the program and continue to promote the game within this community." The ‘'ikes' season contin- ues this Tuesday with _matches in Stratford against Stratford Northwestern and Stratford (ventral.