Golden girls

CEC rolls to undefeated record to capture NSSAF junior varsity crown

The CEC Cougars continued their excellence in volleyball by putting together an undefeated run to capture the NSSAF junior varsity girls’ title.

The Cobequid Cougars posted an undefeated record and downed Parkview in straight sets in the gold-medal match to win the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation junior varsity girls’ volleyball title over the weekend in Digby.

The Cougars defeated Digby (25-4, 25-20), Riverview (25-10, 25-13) and Clare (25-6, 25-10) in preliminary action, before a straight-sets win over Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals (25-9, 25-4) in a semifinal.

In the final, the Cougars struggled with their serve-receive at the beginning of the match and fell behind 1-5. The strong serving of Emma Fortunato, who ran off 13 straight points, turned things around for the Cougars who took control of that set to win 25-14.

Both teams struggled with their serving in the early stages of the second set. This time it was Macailin Tanner who ran off six straight points on her serve to put the Cougars in front and they held on in the later stages of the set to win 25-22 and claim the first ever provincial banner for JV program.

Fortunato led CEC with 20 kills and only two hitting errors for a 60 per cent attack percentage.

Tanner had 15 kills and only three hitting errors for a 46.2 per cent attack percentage, while Maddy Ball had 22 kills and Emma Shive added 20.

Fortunato also led the team in serving with 21 aces, 38 successful serves, and only three serving errors for a 3.90 serving average. Tanner had 19 aces and 47 successful serves for a 3.67 serving average, while Shive had 15 aces

and 32 successful serves for a 3.50 serving average. Caitlin Whooten led the team in serve-receive with 10 perfect passes and a 2.00 serve- receive average. Hayley Adams had four perfect passes and a 2.50 serve receive average. Whooten also led the team on defence with 15 spike digs, while backcourt specialist Erin Reeves had six spike digs.

The all-around play of Ball was

also a key factor in the Cougars’ win. She had 22 kills, five aces, five perfect passes, seven spike digs and four tip digs.

Sarah Garrett and Sydney Davidson shared the setting position and ran a balanced and efficient offence for the Cougars.

This weekend, the CEC #1 team will compete at the Division 1 provincial championship at C.P. Allen in Bedford.

SUBMITTED The Cobequid Cougars won the NSSAF junior varsity girls’ volleyball title during the weekend in Digby. The Cougars posted an undefeated record at the event. Members of the team are, front row, from left, Marlee Mcquillan, Hayley Adams, Sydney Davidson and Sarah Garrett; second row, coach Carrie Peck, Hannah Faulkner, Macailin Tanner, Emma Fortunato, Maddy Ball, Emma Shive, Caitlin Whooten, Erin Reeves, Mackenzie Matheson, Paige Crosby and coach Hilary Cormier.