Wolverines Claim NSSSAA Boys’ Volleyball Crowns
Manitouwadge Wolverines 2010 NSSSAA Volleyball Champions
On the heels of the Wolverine girls’ double-gold (junior and senior) performance atthe NSSSAA Finals in February, the junior and senior boys made it a clean sweep in2010 for Manitouwadge High School’s volleyball teams, with both squads besting theiropponents at the fall NSSSAA Championships, held at Chapleau High School.
The senior boys won their first title since 2005-2006, with a straight sets (25-15,25-19) victory over Nip-Rock and a hard-fought three-set (25-21, 20-25, 15-8) winversus St. Joseph. The banner-clinching match capped off an undefeated (8-0) seasonthat saw the Wolverines’ steady attack prevail over Central division opponents Marathon and Michipicoten prior to reaching the Finals.
The final match against St. Joseph was characterized by fiery serving and powerfulhitting from both sides. After the teams traded wins in the first two sets, thethird saw Manitouwadge raise its level of play, with strong passing and a balanced,energetic attack. The team’s celebration erupted after a Lloyd Hunter-White spike ended the match.
Inspired by the senior Wolverines’ win, the junior boys rode the wave of momentum,hitting the floor for their final match against the St. Joseph juniors. Led bycaptain Cody Osiecki, the team prevailed and won its third straight NSSSAA title(25-17, 25-18). The junior boys have not dropped a set in league play since 2008 andhave won 24 straight NSSSAA matches on the way to three consecutive undefeatedcampaigns.
Earlier in the day, the Manitouwadge juniors came out strong in the first set (25-7)against the Geraldton Knights. That dominance would not last long, as a moreaggressive Knights side adjusted, making the second set a close one, with theWolverines narrowly prevailing (25-21).
The action now switches to the winter season as play begins this month for the12-school NSSSAA league. Wolverine boys’ basketball and girls’ volleyball teamsbegin their respective seasons on December 9, with a junior double-header versusMichipicoten. Manitouwadge will look to defend NSSSAA titles in junior boys’basketball and senior girls’ volleyball, while the junior girls’ volleyball squadwill try to earn a third consecutive banner. Meanwhile, a promising Wolverinessenior boys’ basketball team will attempt to end the recent dominance of theMarathon Falcons.
