You can see a vast improvement in the Chemainus Cougars senior boys volleyball team just from one set to the next.
Under the direction of young coach Sean Lefebure, one of the best boys volleyball players to come out of Chemainus Secondary School over the years, team members are getting the idea of what it’s going to take to compete on a regular basis at a high level.
The Cougars hosted Duncan Christian School Monday and didn’t have a very good first set, losing 25-10. They were down 6-0 and 10-3 at different stages and never really got anything going.
But the Cougars were like a different team in the second set and gave DCS all it could handle in a 25-17 defeat. The score stood 19-16 in the late stages and Chemainus was right in contention till the end with some inspired play.
Volleyball matches don’t tend to take too long so an additional two sets were played and DCS also won both of those 25-19, 25-10.
“It was definitely an up and down game,” noted Lefebure. “We showed up for two of the four sets, and those were competitive matches. When the team can put together some plays and compete, I’m happy.
“During those middle two sets we were able to minimize our unforced errors, definitely a highlight for a developing team. Otherwise, our players are still learning how to properly move, react and anticipate for the game of volleyball - which isn’t an easy thing to do for most of our athletes who have soccer, football or hockey as their primary sport.”
Lefebure added it was a bit of a rough game for the team’s more reliable players so he’s expecting them to be eager to get back into the gym and prepare for the next match on Oct. 23.
Meanwhile, the Cougars senior girls faced Queen Margaret’s School Oct. 9 and split two sets, winning 25-21 and dropping a 22-25 decision. QMS had to leave and was unable to play a third set.
“I believe our girls would have had a good chance of winning going into a third set,” noted Chemainus coach Kelsey Bell. “Although we did not play our best, we had some great plays. The girls are still working on their consistency when it comes to serving and passing. This was the first set the girls have won this season. Hopefully it is the first of many.”
Standout players were Andrea Brooks for her serving and setting and Daisy Wright for her strong presence at the net.
