Junior spikers shake adversity

Staff

Losing their first two matches of the year was like a slap in the face to the Muskie junior boys’ volleyball team.
Then they went and saved face—and a whole lot more.
Fort High captured its second tournament title of the year with a 2-1 triumph over the Hammarskjold Vikings (Thunder Bay) in the final of the Dryden Eagles Invitational on Saturday.
After taking the opening set 25-13, the Muskies fell 25-18 in the second set before taking the third-and-deciding one 15-9.
The Muskies opened play with a 2-1 win over the Kenora Broncos (25-23, 18-25, and 15-9) but then fell 2-1 to the Westgate Tigers (Thunder Bay) by scores of 21-25, 25-14, and 15-9.
Fort High again let a one-set lead evaporate in losing 2-1 to Hammarskjold (15-25, 25-16, and 15-6).
But the Muskies wound up second in their pool with a 2-2 record after sweeping the Queen Elizabeth Warriors (Sioux Lookout) by a 2-0 margin (25-18/25-18).
A quarterfinal match-up with the St. Ignatius Falcons (Thunder Bay) easily went Fort High’s way by a 2-0 count (25-12/25-13).
Then there was suspense galore in the semi-finals against the Churchill Bulldogs (Thunder Bay) before the Muskies prevailed 2-1 (25-20, 20-25, and 15-9) to reach the final.
All four Muskie court teams resume NorWOSSA play tomorrow in Dryden.
Their next home action goes Thursday against Kenora starting at noon.