The Confederation Chargers senior girls volleyball team felt that they had something to prove - as much as any team sporting a 5-0 record in league play could have something to prove, I suppose.
"They've beaten us in the tournaments so we were a little nervous," noted 17 year-old grade 12 attacker Avery Gauvreau after the Chargers stormed into the home gymnasium of the Lo-Ellen Park Knights (also 5-0 entering the game last week) and exited with a crosstown sweep: 25-21, 25-20, 25-21.
"We knew that we had to work hard and that's what we did," added Gauvreau, who played much of the game alongside Harlym Triff, Alexia Savoie, Ava McLinton, Morgan Gauvreau, Mara Ward and grade nine setter Sophie Marshall.
"I think in this game, our defense really stepped up. It's been slacking, especially in our last tournament. We've been practicing a lot on our defense."
With the win, Confederation improved to 6-0, just a hair ahead of the trio of Lo-Ellen Park, the Lockerby Vikings and the Horizon Aigles, all at 5-1. And with the six teams below them in the Division I standings all reasonably competitive, parity has never been better in the SDSSAA ranks.
"I love it," said Gauvreau. "I think it's super fun and it gives us a challenge. It's never easy to beat these teams."
Topping the charts in terms of kills on the night were siblings Morgan and Avery Gauvreau, for the Chargers, along with right-side Harlym Triff, while the Knights countered with a one-two punch of Caelyn Mahoney and Lara Gray.
This past weekend, the Macdonald-Cartier Panthères advanced to the final of the Scarlet & Gold Tournament at Chippewa Secondary School, settling for second place.
The key match-up this week is undoubtedly the latest version of the Valley East rivalry as Confederation and Horizon go toe to toe at the home of the Aigles Monday evening.
Come Friday and Saturday, a number of these teams will be competing at Chelmsford Valley District Composite School as long-time friend of volleyball Glen Murray and his crew welcome visitors to Rayside-Balfour.
