Even without their star setter on the court, the Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School Lakers proved they were more than capable of stepping up to fill his shoes.
The Lakers junior boys volleyball team defeated the Gravenhurst High School Gryphons in five sets during a game on Thursday, Oct. 4 in Bracebridge. The Lakers entered the game without their primary setter Garrett Thomas, who was away for a family emergency.
However, coach Christine Mortimer said his teammates pulled together and learned quickly on their feet to fill the void.
“It was a good learning experience for our other setters,” she said. “The thing I like most about this team is that we have lots of depth. I feel good about putting any guy on the court. (They are) a well-rounded team with lots of athleticism.”
The Lakers took an early lead in the game, winning the first set with a score of 25-19. However, the Gryphons regrouped and rebounded with a 23-25 score in the second set. That prompted the Lakers to up their game further, leading to a 25-12 victory in the third set.
But the game again see-sawed to Gravenhurst’s favour in the fourth set, with the Gryphons beating the Lakers 16-25. Despite the setback, the Lakers came back to finish the game with a 15-10 score in the fifth set.
Mortimer said that although the Lakers junior boys team is still young and lacking much experience, she has been impressed by the speed at which they are improving and learning. She’s hopeful that will translate to further victories down the road.
“Once they learn what they’re supposed to do and when, and they’re a little more ready for things to happen, they’re going to be strong,” she said.