By Larry Moko
What a perfect way for Alyssa Cerovac to wrap up her outstanding high school volleyball career.
The Grade 12 outside hitter from Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School was selected Most Valuable Player of the annual Hamilton High School All-Star senior girls' volleyball game at Mohawk College Tuesday.
In addition to the individual honour, she helped Team Catholic to a long-awaited 3-1 victory over the Public board's entry. Set scores were 23-23, 25-23, 25-14, 25-22.
"It was a great way to end off my high school season," said Cerovac, who recently signed a volleyball scholarship offer from the Cleveland State University Vikings.
That Ohio-based NCAA Division I school plays in the Horizon League.
"Ever since I've been playing in all-star games, the Public board has been beating us," Cerovac added. "I was on the junior team (and lost) when I was in Grade 10. And last year in senior we lost."
Cerovac said Team Catholic appeared "jittery" in the first-set before everything began to gel.
"We worked together and communicated well despite only having two practices before this. Our setter-hitter connections were great."
Team Catholic coach Albie O'Hanian said it was a fun experience being involved in the all-star doubleheader which included a junior contest against Team Public.
"Everyone came to play," he said. "We had a great match. It was close throughout.
"I thought Mia Caterini of St. Thomas More was the big difference in our second-set win."
From that point on, Cerovac and her Tonnos teammate Estelle Buist took charge.
"They're such great leaders and they have so much experience," O"Hanian said. "It was nice to win this game for them because they've been here before so many times."
Powered by Cerovac and Buist, the Titans won a fourth-consecutive Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic league championship this season. That pair also captured OFSAA gold and silver medals in 2023 and '24, respectively.
"Alyssa is probably one of the top attackers at 18U in Canada," O'Hanian said of the Halton Hurricanes star. "She's an incredible left side and an incredible person. That's even more important."
Cerovac is grateful for her time as a high school athlete in Hamilton.
"BT volleyball has honestly been one of the best things that has ever happened to me," she said. "I'm lucky to have been coached by my dad (assistant coach Dennis Cerovac) for my four years. I really cherish having him at high school volleyball."
And this season was special for one other reason.
"I got to play with my younger sister (Nikki) who is in Grade 9. That was an awesome experience, too."
Cerovac will be in the Health Sciences program while attending Cleveland State.
"I'm super excited about that," she said.
Other Team Catholic senior players included Chloe Lessard and Annabelle Perrtt of the ACMT Jaguars, Breya Peters of Tonnos, Erica Somerova of the Cathedral Gaels, Avery Cryer of the St. Jean de Brébeuf Braves, Addison McPherson of the St. John Henry Newman Cardinals, Julia Don and Erin Fresco of the St. Mary Crusaders, plus Tori D'Angela and Natalie Hansen of the St. Thomas More Knights.
The senior MVP for Team Public was middle Zoe Thake of the Westmount Wildcats.
In the junior all-star contest, Team Public needed five sets to emerge victorious. Team Catholic took the first and fourth sets, 25-19 and 25-17, but dropped the second, third and fifth sets, 25-19, 25-22 and 15-6.
Left side Emmerson Graham of the Westdale Warriors was Team Public's MVP while the Team Catholic award winner was Sophia Alfieri of the Bishop Ryan Celtics.
The Catholic side fell behind 12-2 in the rubber game.
"There was so much pressure in the last set," Alfieri said. "We gave up a bunch of points and felt we couldn't come back.
"I really enjoyed it, though. I didn't think I would get it (MVP) because I'm only in Grade 9. So I'm proud of myself."
Alfieri's teammates were Gianna Vaillancourt (ACMT), Eva-London Menie (Bishop Ryan), Sophie Nalezyn (Tonnos), Liliana Coccaro (Tonnos) Emma Lesley (Tonnos), Mia Verticchio (Brébeuf), Lauren Brohman (St. John Henry Newman), Grace Davies (Newman), Sierra Kirk (Newman) Izabelle Rowan (Newman), Isabella Wegnerski (St. Mary), Cardyn Gedye (St. Thomas More) and Nola Rivers (More).
Photos by R.F. (Bob) Butrym, RFB Sport Photography
More photos on HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page
