The Central Cyclones veteran-laden line-up of eight Grade 12s aren't likely to be beaten this year, so coach Shaune Gray is occasionally going to take some lumps with younger players.
Even with these lumps, Central still defeated the Avonlea Eagles three sets to one (25-18, 25-14, 27-29, 25-18). Championship dynasties like the one Central has in boys volleyball in the city are made through winning tough games like this with younger players.
Even with the kids on the floor, Central wasn't expecting to lose a set at home, which they did in the third. With veterans on the bench through most of it, Central eventually lost a tug of war with the surprisingly strong Eagles.
Gray knows that they still need to develop their younger players, and the best way to do that is to give them floor time in key situations.
"It's very early," said Gray. "It was just nerves. They panicked a little bit at the score and kind of tightened up, which caused them to scramble. But for the young kids, I expect them to do a little bit of that."
Avonlea are a young team in their own right, and they got some key performances from veterans like Dereck Mondor in winning the third set.
"It was our first match of the season and our first games of any sort, so we're a little raw," said Avonlea coach Brent Lothian.
See Wednesday's Times-Herald for more.
Central defeats Avonlea in volleyball opener
- Published on September 9th, 2008
- Published on July 10th, 2009
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Corey Atkinson
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