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Wildcats scratch back for TVRA title
Down 2-0, West Elgin reverse sweeps London Christian in Central 1A final
February 19, 2024
By Rob J. Ross
LONDON, - Down two games to none, it appeared the West Elgin Wildcats would be another sweep for the London Christian Pioneers.
However, the Wildcat took over the brooms, turning the match around with three consecutive wins, capturing the Thames Valley Region Athletics (TVRA) Central 1A senior girls volleyball title in five games, Tuesday at London Christian High.
"We were the underdogs and we came to show everyone we can do it. We came to
win," Wildcats' co-captain Karlie Miller.
"(London Christian) smoked us every time we played them this year. We've played
them three or four times now," Wildcats coach Dave Burke said. "Holy Cross
smoked us when we played them. So that's two in a row where we just pulled it
together."
The Wildcats finished the regular season at 4-3, in a division that includes London Oakridge and Strathroy District. West Elgin dusted Gabriel-Dumont (3-4) in three games during the quarterfinals.
West Elgin upended Strathroy Holy Cross, the top seeded 1A team (5-2) for TVRA entering the playoffs, in the semifinals, three games to one.
"It's been a neat experience this year because we weren't expected to do anything," Burke said. "I'm amazed at how much these girls never seem to consider themselves out of it. They don't hang their heads. We can be down and they just keep playing. They keep the same energy and momentum all the way through"
While at tournament in Strathroy prior to the exam break in January, the Wildcats made a few changes.
"We switched the line-up and we all of sudden started upsetting teams. You could feel the difference," Burke said.
The Wildcats shifted co-captain Taytem Lamb to the middle and added Emma Phillips, who was cut during the preseason, to the line-up. In addition, a number of players improved their play taking advantage of additional court time.
"We re-jigged out line-up. There are couple of other kids that really didn't see the court at the beginning that are now playing," said Burke. "(Phillips) was our manager. In the second half of the season, she's gone in to serve and play defence. She's doing great."
In the final, the host Pioneers took the first two games, 25-23, 25-18. The Wildcats maintained their energy and jumped out to a 11-7 lead in game three, on way to a 25-23 win.
West Elgin soared ahead with leads of 10-5, 14-7 and 20-8, in game four. The Pioneers responded with a run to close the gap to five points, but the Wildcats held on, 25-19.
In the decisive game five, London Christian jumped out, 6-2, but the Wildcats stayed composed, tying the affair at 10, before surging ahead, 15-13, for the title.
"It hasn't happened in awhile, so everyone is very excited, very proud, very happy about it," said Lamb, who was a force on offence, defence and with her enthusiastic celebrations.
Both teams are in Woodstock for WOSSAA 1A at WCI, Friday, February 21.
In the semifinals, West Elgin faces St. Marys, while London Christian takes on the host Red Devils.
The WOSSAA winner advances to OFSAA, March 3-5, in downtown Toronto.
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