CEC varsity girls’ volleyball team gathers for a photo after accepting their provincial bronze medals. Pictured are head coach Jack Aucoin (back, left), assistant coach Darcy Merryweather, Jasmine Aarts, Addy Sylliboy-Moody, Sophie Grund, Aliyah Maloney, Carla Dirkes, Ellie Tully, Addison Marshall, assistant coach Maddy Freeden, Hannah Ashford (front, left), Myka Wilson, Sarah Merryweather, Piper Hickox, Charley Thompson, and Olivia Cock. Photo by Richard MacKenzie /Truro NewsArticle contentTRURO – The Cobequid Educational Centre Cougars girls’ varsity volleyball team, as Northumberland regional champions, hosted the provincial championships in Truro on Dec. 5 and 6. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentAfter going 2-1 in the round-robin portion of the event, wins over Auburn (25-18, 25-23) and a default win over Riverview (unable to travel due to school closures in their region) the Cougars advanced to the semi-finals where they met the top-seeded Citadel Phoenix, who had gone 3-0 in their round-robin games. Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe Phoenix defeated the Cougars 25-15 and 25-18 to advance to the gold medal game versus HRM rivals Halifax West. Article contentIn the bronze medal match-up, the Cougars faced École Secondaire du Sommet, also an HRM area school, who had beaten them in the round-robin portion (25-9, 25-20). This time, after dropping the first game 25-15, CEC was able to storm back to win the next two (25-20 and 17-15) to win the match and the bronze medal. Article content“A goal for us going in was to win the tournament, but things don’t always go your way,” said Cougars’ head coach Jack Aucoin immediately following the medal presentation. Article content“But we found a way to gut out a third set win against a tough young team that will be very good in the years to come. It was great to see our group of 13 girls overcome a bit of adversity and stick with each other to earn the bronze.” Article content The CEC junior varsity girls’ volleyball team won their provincial tournament the weekend before the varsity hosted their provincials. The junior varsity tournament was played in Sydney. Members of the team include (does not correspond with photo) Teagan Sylliboy-Moody, Paris Brown, Emily Coelho, Calee Deveau, Sadie MacEachern, Makayla Crawford, Rylie During, Adara Maloney, Josie MacKenzie, Charlee Pugsley, Lydia Crowe, Addison MacKillop, Muddy Martin, Melina Tremblay, Kenzie Yorke, head coach Shayla Gloade and assistant Molly Marquis. Photo by ContributedArticle contentArticle contentThe Cougars expect to be very good in the coming years as well, with several players eligible to return, and some graduating from the junior varsity program, which claimed provincial gold the previous weekend in Sydney. Article contentArticle content“We’ll have seven or eight seniors next year, and our junior varsity team won provincials, so it’s a great feeding system of good volleyball in this town,” Aucoin said. Article content CEC’s Piper Hickox lunges to try and keep this Sommet spike alive in provincials’ action on Saturday. Photo by Richard MacKenzie /Truro NewsArticle contentArticle contentAs for the year overall, Aucoin said it was a great year for the team, which received a lot of compliments for the way they competed on the court and conducted themselves as student-athletes, away from it. Article content“It was a fantastic year, a fun year,” he said. “And every weekend I was getting comments for other coaches, from the referees, about how they enjoyed seeing this team have a lot of fun during games and off games (when not competing); that they’re kind, nice, and just a great group of kids.” Article contentIn the final, Halifax West defeated Citadel in two very close games – 27-25 in the first, and then 25-23 in the second, to become provincial champs. Article content Addison Marshall spikes the ball by a couple of Sommet would-be blockers. Photo by Richard MacKenzie /Truro NewsArticle content CEC’s Sarah Merryweather and Myka Wilson go up for a block attempt. Photo by Richard MacKenzie /Truro NewsArticle content Hannah Ashford from CEC attempts to place the ball out of reach of Sommet players. Photo by Richard MacKenzie /Truro NewsArticle content Myka Wilson from the Cougars with a well-placed spike. Photo by Richard MacKenzie /Truro NewsArticle content CEC’s Addison Marshall volleying the ball over the net during action in the bronze medal game versus École Secondaire du Sommet. Photo by Richard MacKenzie /Truro NewsArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle content
Cougars claim bronze invarsityvolleyball provincials
