Rams dust Spartans for spot in final

   St. Joe's sweeps Mother Theresa in three games in their District senior boys'

   volleyball semifinal to advance to the title match

  November 10, 2021

By Rob J. Ross 

ST. THOMAS - The St. Joseph's Rams are heading to the District senior boys' volleyball final.

St. Joe's made quick work of the Mother Theresa Spartans, winning their semi-final in three games, 25-10, 25-23, 25-22.

"The boys knew they had to come out hard in the first set, which we did," Rams' coach Kevin Paiva said. "Then we kind of let off a little bit. They had a couple runs, but our boys did what we needed to."

The Rams easily took game one, but had to overcome down 19-15 in game two. The Spartans had a lead early in game three before the Rams regained their game one momentum.

"We haven't had too many tough games all year," Paiva said. "We're just really deep. We have eight, nine guys, even the guys on the bench are good. They do everything we tell them. We have good team camaraderie."

The Rams who have not lost a game all season, winning every match three games to none, face Gabriel-Dumont in the final. Gabriel-Dumont also won each of their five matches, but dropped two games.

"We have to put it all together for three sets against Dumont. They will be good," Paiva said. "It will be limiting mistakes. If we can do that we can hang with anybody. We have to limit mistakes and limit runs."

The Rams host the best of five game match final, Thursday, November 18, 3 p.m. at St. Joe's.

Two years ago St. Joe's lost the District final to London Aquinas, three games to one, but can draw from that experience with returning players, Owen Waterhouse, Niko Dennis and Jordan Moore.

"Luckily for us we Owen, Niki and Moorsey and that helped us set the tone that we were expecting this season," said Paiva. "The boys knew right at practice there was no messing around and it was just right in to it. We said right at the beginning, right back to the final."