Stampeders eye South crown again

By Rob J. Ross

December 8, 2016

ST. THOMAS, Ont. - For the past few seasons, the Parkside Stampeders have been at the top of the South Division in senior girls' volleyball and will once again be looked upon as the favourite.

Parkside improved to 2-0 in week one, of the Thames Valley Regional Athletics season, after handling the East Elgin Eagles, in just three games, 25-15, 25-17, 25-23, at Parkside Collegiate.

"We're doing a good job on the fundamentals (passing, serving, communication). We're still ironing out systems," Stampeders' first year coach Dennis Dlouhy said. "Right now, we're solely focusing on fundamentals. Once we have our early season goals, we'll be able to bring them to the next level, incorporating attack and defensive systems."

Parkside finished first in the South, each of the past two seasons, with the West Elgin Wildcats placing second both years.

"We have work to do, but it's an expectation that we do well," Dlouhy said. "We're a fairly young team."

Leading the Stampeders are team captain and middle Ally Carr, Lauren Donker, Haley Summers and setter Holly Thomson.

"They are our foundation," Dlouhy said. "Ally is an all-around fundamental player who is creative and a positive, great leader. She brings a lot of skills to the team."

Number two setter Jordyn Wilcox, Marijka Wall and libero Murranda McCallum, complete the core of the team.

Parkside played at a preseason tournament at Western University, playing four matches, on December 3.

"We accomplished the goals we wanted too, communication, passing and serving," Dlouhy said. "In terms of systems, we couldn't execute much, as we were missing some players."