By Larry Moko
The Bishop Tonnos Titans owe part of their success on the volleyball court this season to Reese's piece.
With Reese FitzGibbon elevating her play as a Grade 10 middle, the Tonnos senior girls' captured the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic high school volleyball championship Thursday.
The Titans smashed their way to a fourth-consecutive league title with a 3-0 victory over the visiting St. Thomas More Knights. Set scores were 25-21, 25-17, 25-19.
It was the fifth-consecutive time the two west Mountain teams have faced each other in the final.
"Reese improved over the summer," Titans coach Alvisia Maga said. "When she was in Grade 9 with us last year, there was a little scariness of being the freshman of the team.
"She has worked on her game a lot, especially on her explosivity as a server."
That power from the line was evident during several extended runs of aces by FitzGibbon.
"She's an OFSAA shot putter," the Tonnos coach added. "So her strength behind the ball should surprise no one. And now she has the confidence to put it all together."
In addition to finishing fourth in shot put at the OFSAA track and field championships last June, FitzGibbon also won gold in the novice girls' discus event.
Said FitzGibbon: "I have definitely got better at serving. I'm not float serving at the back any more. I like my spinner. It goes in more than it doesn't.
"And I'm getting better at the net (as a middle), too."
On offence, the other leading point-getters for Tonnos were veterans Alyssa Cerovac and Estelle Buist.
The Titans went undefeated in 14 regular-season starts before preliminary playoff round wins over the Cathedral Gaels and the St. Mary Crusaders.
More finished third in the standings with a 9-5 record. The Knights then punched their ticket to the championship game by getting past the St. Jean de Brebeuf Braves (3-0) and the ACMT Jaguars (3-0).
"Tonnos has been a great team for the last four years," More coach Sarah Ross said. "They have strong hitters.
"We knew we would probably meet BT in the final. All our players put their best effort forward."
The top point-getters for More were big hitters Tori D'Angela and Mia Caterini. Ross, who said injuries have slowed More's potential this season, also praised the play of setter Victoria Sinclair, graduating libero Natalie Hansen and right side Danica Morris.
Coach Maga says the Titans simply play well as a team.
"We knew our team culture and cohesion would be a big force," she said. "It's hard to pull us apart."
As an example, Maga pointed out that only one practice was missed by one player since late October.
"So they're committed to the cause. They've done a good job of playing for each other."
In addition to going undefeated, Tonnos didn't lose a single set all season. That's a high-water mark for the Titans.
Cerovac and Buist have played for all four Titan city championship squads while Veronica Navarrete-Valdivieso has been with the last three.
Other members of the Titans include Linaea Maga, Lana Chiu, Breya Peters, Nikky Cerovac, Olivia Germanna, Lilly MacIntosh, Sasha Boin, Edith Meknontchou and Mara Craciun.
Next up for Tonnos is a GHAC championship game appearance on March 2 at the home of an AAA Halton opponent.
Photos by R.F. (Bob) Butrym, RFB Sport Photography
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