The Sir George Simpson Voyageurs needed only three sets to complete an undefeated season as the SAPEC Tier 1 girls’ volleyball champions.
In Thursday’s final Simpson had little trouble sweeping the William D. Cuts Crusaders 25-22, 25-19, 25-22 at Bellerose Composite High School.
“We played outstanding tonight,” said captain Jamie Bain. “We worked so hard and it paid off.”
It was over in a blink of an eye after Simpson ended the first set with a spike by Ayla Hermanutz to break a 22-all tie, followed by a pair of points by Hannah Gorgichuk.
Cuts had rattled off seven straight points, including the equalizer on captain Alicia Easthope’s spike, before Simpson swung into action to win the set.
In the next set Cuts held the lead briefly at the beginning before Simpson pulled away without fear of being caught.
Cuts never held the lead in the last set as Simpson poured on the pressure.
It was the second straight year Cuts (9-1) lost the final. Last year the Lorne Akins Gators upset second-place Cuts in five sets.
“I thought it was going to be a real close game but it felt like we were more excited and more ready for the game so we pulled out the win,” said Ashley Thomas, a Grade 9 middle who was tough to defend against.
Simpson limited its miscues, made every hit count and were solid defensively.
“It was amazing actually, how well we played,” Thomas said. “We played defence really well. We moved the ball across the court really well and we knew where to be positioned.”
The city crown was the 11th in school history and the first since 2010. Last year Simpson was undefeated until losing the semifinal in four sets to Lorne Akins.
“This win means a lot,” Thomas said. “We had a great year. We communicated really well and worked together as a team. We never got into any fights. There was no drama.”
To finish 10-0 was too good to be true.
“It’s crazy,” said Bain, the team’s setter. “There was a lot of pressure because we hadn’t lost and to lose the last game would be really bad but I’m glad we pulled it off.
“I’m so proud of everybody.”
