From Hiatus to Triumph: Lisa Pauletto Guides Titans to Junior Boys' Volleyball Glory
By Larry Moko
Lisa Pauletto’s return to volleyball coaching has been a smashing success.
After an 11-year absence from the sport, the Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School teacher recently guided the Titans to a Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic junior boys’ high school volleyball championship.
That squad won 16 of its 17 overall matches, including a 3-1 decision over the St. Thomas More Knights in the final.
In addition, last week at Mohawk College, the Tonnos trio of Pauletto, Sean McPhee and Duane Davis coached Catholic to a 4-0 victory over Public in the annual Hamilton high school junior all-star volleyball game.
One of the players in the Catholic lineup also happened to be her son, Alessandro (a Grade 9 middle).
“My son came here to Bishop Tonnos and I started coaching again. It was nice to celebrate (a championship) with him. It was really special.”
Davis’ son, Gavin, also plays for Tonnos. He’s a Grade 10 left side. Said Pauletto: “Gavin was the heart and soul of the team this year.”
Gavin sprained a knee ligament, however, in the league final and, although selected to the all-star team, wasn’t fully recovered from the injury and did not dress.
“He’ll be back soon with his club team,” Pauletto said.
Catholic swept the sets – 25-14, 25-15, 25-21 and 25-21.
Other players on the Catholic roster included: Andy Lock, Tonnos, setter; Colton Hand, More, middle; Adriel Vorasane, More, left/middle; Noah Cartwright, Bishop Ryan, middle; Liam Samson, Bishop Ryan, left; Anthony Astone, Newman, right/left; Daniel Guagliano, Newman, left; Uriel Knape, Newman, right; Amir Newallo, Cathedral, left/right/middle; Steven Moo, Cathedral, libero; Alexander Balogh Iredale, Brebeuf, middle; Alex Tschirhart, St. Mary, libero; Cedrik Dass, ACMT, setter.
“It was a matter of getting them comfortable,” Pauletto said. “We were trying to create some sort of cohesion because they’re all kids who haven’t really played together at the same time.”
The Player of the Game selections were Dass and Hamilton District Christian High School middle Kyle Welmers.
“Cedric Dass is a phenomenal setter and team leader,” the Tonnos head coach said. “He’s naturally gifted but knows how to spread the ball around throughout the offence. He knows who is hot and when to go to them. He can also see who is where on the other side of the court and he splits the block really well.”
The Catholic point leader was BR’s Samson.
“We call him the assassin,” Pauletto said. “He goes up without any fear. He’s a Grade 9 but he swings like a Grade 12 kid.”
As for her son, Pauletto said he’s tall (6-foot-3) and is in his first year of organized volleyball. “He plays baseball primarily. That’s his go-to. It’s been a lot of learning for him and the whole team.”
Photos by Bob Butrym / RFB Sport Photography
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