Combining mathematics and horticulture in a positive volleyball equation

Tillsonburg Gemini junior L. Morse gets a shot in against Woodstock St. Mary’s Warriors blockers J. Mazurklewicz and D. Santos. (Jeff Tribe).

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

Krista Ferguson’s mathematical background allowed her to correctly assess the numbers from her Tillsonburg Gemini Thames Valley Regional Athletics senior boys’ volleyball 25-15, 25-17, 25-21 loss to the homecourt Woodstock St. Mary’s Warriors Tuesday, Sept. 30.

But her other teachable - horticulture - combined with growing up on a farm and currently being married to a dairy farmer may also contribute to her positivity around planting the seeds and nurturing growth toward better results in the future.

“We have a couple of good plays and it fills up my cup,” she smiled. “I’m happy.”

There is no shortage of athletic ability on the Gemini roster says Ferguson.

“We have everything we need to win games, but we don’t have club players.”

Tillsonburg’s main challenges include a lack of depth, a roster allowing one or two subs on the bench during games, as well as a comparative lack of volleyball experience compared to some competitors. The Gemini play an eight-game regular season along with a couple of tournaments, which doesn’t add up to the extended amount of game time enjoyed by many other squads who do have club members on their rosters.

The undefeated Warriors (5-0 as of press time) delivered the expected challenge. But Ferguson was pleased with her team’s response.

“We played with them, we got points against them,” she said. “The third set was close and in the second set we had them 13-12 at one point.

“They were mad we were ahead and they had the experience to fix it.”

The Gemini led 21-20 during the third set, before a few mistakes turned the tide toward a St. Mary’s win.

“We have all the skills, we don’t have the experience,” Ferguson said. “There are kids with way more touches on the ball than we do.”

Her faith in the Gemini would be borne out that Thursday, Tillsonburg breaking into the TVRA Southeast win column with a tight 25-22, 25-19, 25-23 win over the visiting Woodstock College Avenue (CASS) Knights.

The junior Gemini also had their hands full at St. Mary’s, dropping a 25-15, 25-13, 25-15 match which did feature a number of spirited rallies.

“We have a lot of potential,” said coach Melissa Jacko, of a young squad she believes will continue to improve. “It’s the beginning of the season, a lot of growth ahead of us.”

Tillsonburg has individual skill and abilities, she added.

“We’re going to work on bringing those individual skills together to build a winning team.”

Like their senior counterparts, the junior Gemini also broke into the win column Thursday, October 2 at home, downing the visiting CASS Knights in an exciting four-set match by scores of 25-21, 26-28, 25-18, 25-19.

Gemini Scoreboard

Senior Football

Gemini 35, Aylmer East Elgin 2

Junior Football

Thursday, October 2

Aylmer East Elgin 35, Gemini 7

Senior Girls Basketball

Thursday, October 2

CASS 32, Gemini 12

Tuesday, September 30

St. Mary’s 37, Gemini 30

Junior Girls Basketball

Thursday, October 2

Gemini 33, CASS 13

Tuesday, September 30

St. Mary’s 16, Gemini 13