Roland Michener Secondary School’s (RMSS) junior girls’ volleyball team won the NEOAA crown yesterday.
“This win is a compilation of hours of training from each and every player on the team. It was the commitment and dedication from everyone whether they played the last set or not that prepared us for this moment,” said head coach Amy Rochon.
At the NEOAA tournament in Cochrane, both RMSS and host Jeunesse Nord won their sets against Timiskaming District Secondary School and Cite to advance to the hard-fought championship match.
In the finals, RM lost the first set 25-23, but rallied to win the second one 25-14, and the third 18-16.
“At one point when the score was 16-16 I looked at the opposing coach Francis Ethier and we silently spoke the same language of respect. We both trained and coached the best that we could and the final points were about who could come out on top amidst pressure and ultimately that was Roland Michener who caught up secured the win with a score of 18-16,” said Rochon.
She said placing second to Jeunesse Nord at early-bird tournament in November helped drive the team’s training this season.
“I had always hoped to meet up once again with the JN team at NEOAA so we could prove that we could train hard and make a comeback. I knew my Rebels could step up to the challenge because I had a team with the athletic talent and perseverance to compete in a high caliber tournament,” she said.
At the final practice before NEOAA, Rochon said she told the” team to go out there not with the goal of winning, but focusing on one point at a time.”
“The group of six who played the last set followed through on their goals. We won because my blocker Emily Michel succeeded in her goal to stop the big hits, my power players Rachel Steinbrunner and Kiena Jones secured points by spiking the ball. My setter Emma Boucher set up and accurately served the final winning points. My opposite setter Lauren Deacon set up and was the voice of communication for the team. My middle Zoey MacCoy hit and played a strong defence and finally my libero Kamryn Sullivan committed herself to successful passes,” she said.
“Our next steps include continuing to build our volleyball program at Roland Michener. My assistant coach Maureen Rintamaki coaches at the Grade 7/8 level and brings her team into my practice to be mentored. I also have a strong connection and plan with this year’s senior coach Carolyn Olaveson and assistant Janis Donovan. We have all worked together and dedicated our time to athletic training and mentorship as a common practice here at Roland Michener. We have high hopes for a senior NEOAA win.“
