Huron Park’s ‘Dawg Pound’ barking up the right TVRA Southeast volleyball standings tree

The Woodstock CI junior Red Devils (left) defeated Huron Park Huskies 25-13, 25-20, 25-12 Tuesday, October 7 inside the DevilDome. The Red Devils sit at 7-1 in the TVRA Southeast standings as of Monday, October 20, two points behind the 7-0 Woodstock St. Mary’s Warriors. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Echo Correspondent

Woodstock Huron Park Huskies senior boys’ volleyball player Parker McLeod isn’t a huge NFL fan.

“Little bit, watch some games here and there,” responded the slightly puzzled 6-foot 8 middle hitter, describing himself as a modest Detroit Lions supporter.

And so, it took a little explaining. But one of the leaders of the Huron Park senior boys’ volleyball version of the Cleveland Browns’ ‘Dawg Pound’ did buy into the theory big-time. Unlike the original, named for a particularly rowdy section of fans in its stadium, the Huron Park seniors follow the rules.

But there can be a connection - bit of a stretch though it may be - between linking a nifty professional football-based nickname to a high school volleyball team with a canine team mascot, which definitely loves to pound the ball.

“I like that,” McLeod laughed, embracing the concept. “I like that absolutely.”

Huron Park’s ‘Dawg Pound’ was on full display Oct. 7 at Woodstock CI, McLeod adding to his considerable height with a 26.5-inch vertical leap, an undeniable offensively advantageous perspective.

“It’s the fun part about it, right?” McLeod queried rhetorically. “Attacking is the best.”

That ‘fun’ is shared with fellow middle Jaxson Finnie, who plays opposite McLeod in the Huskies rotation. The two ‘middles’ play on different Ontario Volleyball Association club teams in Kitchener and London, enjoying a friendly in-house rivalry there and with Huron Park, pushing them to be the best they can be says McLeod. Although giving away three inches, Finnie’s 6’5” frame gives Huron Park consistent height at the net, supporting balanced defence and offence across an entire roster which has committed to shared improvement throughout the ranks.

“We’re now Grade 12s instead of 11s,” said McLeod. “We’ve built experience as a team.”

The squad also features a number of Grade 11s, up from junior, who have ‘blended well,’ credits McLeod and are contributing.

“I think we’re going to have a really good year this year.”

The day’s results supported McLeod’s expectations, a 23-25, 25-10, 25-19, 25-15 victory over the homecourt Red Devils. The victory backed up an earlier 26-24, 26-24, 25-11 win over the Ingersoll DCI Blue Bombers, like the Red Devils, perennial TVRA Southeast contenders. It also preceded an intense five-set Tuesday, October 14th (25-23, 18-25, 25-11, 17-25, 15-8) success over the Woodstock St. Mary’s Warriors, placing the Huskies atop the standings with a 7-0 won-lost record with one regular season match against 1-6 St. Thomas Parkside remaining.

“I mean, there’s always stuff to work on,” said Huskies coach Eryn Orr following the WCI match victory. “No team is perfect no game is perfect - but I’m proud of how far they’ve come.”

A club player with London Forest City during her playing days, Orr appreciates the level of competition found not only by travelling to tournaments, but during regular season matches.

“That’s only going to make everyone better.”

Huron Park has been on both ends of the spectrum this season, dropping tight 16-14 decisions in the third set of tournament play. The narrow margin between victory and defeat does admittedly make for intense, nervous times both on the court and on the bench.

“But I love it at the same time,” said Orr. “That level of sport, that kind of competition, that’s what you want.”

She has taken a personal stake in developing the Huskies volleyball program. Naturally, Orr would like to see that progression include success in this post season. Understanding full well that will be, well, a dogfight against quality competition, she is nevertheless celebrating the shared journey which has seen the Huskies move from aspiring to compete with the league’s top teams, to earning their place among them.

“It doesn’t always go your way, but it’s really nice to have a team that wants it.”