Junior boys volleyball ‘Battle of 19’ features unwelcome detour

The senior Gemini’s Sophia Monsere drives past a St. Joe’s defender en route to the basket in a game between the two teams on Monday at Glendale. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

The Tillsonburg Gemini junior boys’ volleyball ‘Battle of ’19’ included an unwelcome detour from an intended Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) Southeast semi-final berth.

“We had such a phenomenal season,” said coach Melissa Jacko of a 3-2 setback to the visiting Ingersoll DCI Blue Bombers Thursday, Nov. 5 inside Glendale’s community gym. “We just couldn’t clinch the win.”

The teams entered the TVRA quarter-final matchup with identical 5-3 won-lost records. The Gemini earned the right to host based on a five-set come-from-behind 25-19, 24-26, 19-25, 25-20, 15-9 victory in their regular season encounter Thursday, Oct. 1 in Tillsonburg.

The Blue Bombers turned the tables in their post-season matchup. A Tillsonburg squad missing several players and therefore battling a short bench lost the first set but then won the next two. IDCI responded by taking the fourth to set up a deciding sprint to 15. In that fifth and final set, the Bombers got off to a quick six-point lead which the Gemini ultimately proved unable to recover from.

“They had a good server in and we just couldn’t get on attack,” said coach Jacko.

Disappointment at not advancing to semis was tempered by memories of a strong season featuring significant growth both individually and as a team, resulting in five match victories.

The graduating core will be young seniors next season said Jacko, anticipating their ongoing development back to contending when they reach Grade 12.

“I hope they all stay together,” she concluded. “Still, lots of learning ahead of them, but they’ve got a lot of potential.”

The senior Gemini volleyball boys exited TVRA playoffs two days earlier via a 24-26, 25-23, 16-20, 20-25 preliminary round loss to the Woodstock CI Red Devils, in Woodstock.

“We did give them a good match,” said coach Krista Ferguson. “It really could have gone either way.”

Hunter Whittington in particular had a great outing in his high school volleyball finale, credited the coach.

“It was kind of a win for me to see him play as well as he can.”

A limited roster complicating full practices combined with a lack of OVA (Ontario Volleyball Association) experience meant a squad of good athletes was in general, in tough against TVRA competition.

“It really impressed me how they played up to the level of other teams,” said Ferguson, citing a set victory over the 7-1 Woodstock St. Mary’s Warriors. “It just proved we could play with those kids.”

More victories would have been welcome. However, Ferguson looked back on a competitive season working with quality, respectful athletes as a positive.

“It was always fun because they’re great kids.”

The Gemini girls’ basketball teams’ seasons also came to an end during the week. The seniors opened with a Monday, Nov. 2 regular season loss to the 8-0 St. Thomas St. Joe’s Rams at home, dropping a 49-29 TVRA preliminary round playoff decision to the Lord Dorchester Beavers on the road the following day.

The Gemini juniors also fell victim to Dorchester, falling by a narrow three-point margin (42-39) in their home playoff preliminary Tuesday, Nov. 3.

“It was a tough loss,” said coach Kait Buchner. “A couple of missed opportunities at the basket.”

Admittedly, it wasn’t the way the Gemini wanted a 2026 TVRA Southeast campaign featuring three regular season victories to end.

“But I am proud of the team’s development,” Buchner concluded. “And I am excited for what’s to come next year.”