After picking up their first ever Division A boys volleyball city crown last year, a veteran-laden Macdonald-Cartier Panthères crew cemented their legacy on Monday night at home, defending their title with a three set sweep of the Lockerby Vikings (25-22, 25-20, 25-17).

The Panthères went 10-0 in regular season play, with only the Horizon Aigles able to snag a couple of sets from the defending champs. Along with national caliber attacker Olivier Tremblay, ESMC has done a nice job of building a complete team, one that should challenge for an OFSAA medal this year.

Part of that supporting cast comes in the form of longtime baseball talent Max Gilroy, who finally gave in and is supplementing his school ball with Northern Chill Club play as well this winter. “There’s just more opportunities for me in volleyball, especially with my height,” noted the 6’7” middle."

“I’ve talked to more coaches.”

Still, Gilroy remains something of a raw talent, loaded with physical attributes but still adjusting to a different sport to call his own – something that he has definitely noticed as he looked to perfect his spin serve. “Getting my arm to the highest point that I can is different,” said the 17 year-old senior who is one of several Panthères athletes who can serve with plenty of pace.

“Because of baseball, I have a bad habit of keeping my arm low, from pitching. To get a good spin, I have to get my arm up there.”

Given the defensive responsibilities that come part and parcel of the position of volleyball middle, Gilroy has also turned his attention to the finer details that help to take time and space away from opposing hitters.

"I've improved with reading where the block is going," he stated. "I've gotten a lot better at reading the setter's hands - and pressing the block too."

Macdonald-Cartier seniors: Jeremy Rhéaume, Aziz Aissa, Riley Payzant, Olivier Tremblay, Hayden Quevillon, Justin Lafontaine, Spencer Rousseau, Max Gilroy, Kaden Major, Cédric Larouche and Mykaël Gagné.

Macdonald-Cartier also claimed the Junior “A” banner, upending the Lasalle Lancers 25-22, 22-25, 25-23, 25-22 while Horizon made quick work of the Bishop Carter Gators in the Novice final (25-7, 25-19, 25-16).

Macdonald-Cartier juniors: Maxime Belzile, Carson Gatien, Brendan Deacon, Alex Thomson, Xavier Aubertin, Miguel Gauthier, Mateo Dudet, Jace Seguin, Cameron Desrochers, Nathaniel Desjardins, Tyce Beauvais-Cutler, Cole Forget, Mathieu Bélanger and Elliott Buck

The Gators did not walk away from boys volleyball season empty-handed, securing senior Division B bragging rights with an upset 25-23, 25-14, 25-23 upset over the Hanmer Sabres.