Listen Live
HomeNews“I saw a ton of potential”: NGDHS junior volleyball coach, player talk...

“I saw a ton of potential”: NGDHS junior volleyball coach, player talk regional finals run

Noah Simpson says his team’s recent playoff run shocked him.

Simpson’s North Grenville District High School junior boy’s volleyball team placed second in this year’s Leeds and Grenville Secondary Schools Athletic Association regional playoffs this week.

The team entered the tournament ranked 5th in the region and defeated higher-ranked teams from Brockville Collegiate Institute and Gananoque Secondary School before falling to Thousand Island Secondary School in the finals.

Simpson credits the team surpassing expectations to selfless play.. “Even our first game, in the quarter-finals [against Brockville Collegiate Institute], it shocked me,” Simpson says. “So, from there, it almost inspired me and motivated me to keep going, and I felt that’s what helped us get to the finals, was the fact that we realized as a team, together, we can do this, and if everyone stepped up and did it for their teammate, not for themselves, we could totally make the finals and possibly win it.”

- Advertisement -

The team’s coach, Cathy Parent, says she’s extremely proud of the team for getting so far, after struggling early in the season. “Being their coach,” Parent says, “I saw a ton of potential and skills that just needed some time to develop. And, of course, missing all of that development time from COVID hurts, when my starting line was mostly Grade 10 students who didn’t even really necessarily know the sport of volleyball.”

Simpson says he’s excited for the start of the school’s basketball season as tryouts start soon. Parent says she’s considering coaching the girl’s volleyball team as their season approaches.

- Advertisment -
- Advertisment -
- Advertisement -

Continue Reading