By Caio Miari and Kajan Thiruthanikasalam
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Record: 2-7
Standings: Eighth in the OCAA East
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS (season)
Points: Timothy Ho (105)
Kills: Timothy Ho (77)
Assists: Javed Baksh (151)
Digs: Timothy Ho (46)
The Centennial Colts men’s volleyball team finished 2019 with a 2-7 record. The subpar campaign is largely due to the team’s winless mark on the road. While the Colts were 2-2 at home in 2019, they lost all five games played away from the Athletic and Wellness Centre (AWC).
Centennial kicked off its campaign with a straight-sets loss to the Loyalist Lancers on Oct. 19. But the Colts were able to bounce back with a 3-1 victory in the following week (Oct. 25) against the La Cite Coyotes. That was the team’s best performance throughout the season, finishing with year-highs in points (50), kills (37), and digs (55).
But the Colts weren’t able to keep their momentum, suffering four consecutive straight-sets losses from Oct. 26 to Nov. 10.
They fell at home against the Algonquin Thunder one day after their triumph and then faced a tough road stretch versus the Fleming Knights, Georgian Grizzlies, and Canadore Panthers. The Colts didn’t score more than 34 points in total for any of those contests.
Centennial snapped its four-game losing streak against the Seneca Sting on Nov. 15. It was their first — and yet lone — victory in straight sets this season. Once again, however, the school couldn’t hold consecutive victories as it faced a tough run against two of the OCAA East top three teams.
The Colts lost in straight sets to both the Durham Lords (Nov. 18) and George Brown Huskies (Nov. 27). Against the Huskies, who has won a season second-best 22 sets this season, Centennial had its year-low in points (20) and its highest total errors (21).
Overall, the Colts committed 122 errors in 2019 — sixth-worst in the OCAA. They are also ranked in the bottom 10 in the league for kills (220 total), hitting percentage (14.8%), total attacks (661), and blocks (39).
The opponents have outgained the Colts, 22-6, in sets.
While multiple players stood out on defence, Centennial has missed consistent playmakers on the other side of the ball.
Timothy Ho is the only Colt to post at least 50 points or 40 kills this season thus far. Ho has amassed 105 points, including 77 kills through nine contests. Most of Ho’s strong plays came from setter Javed Baksh, who has been magnificent from the playmaking position with 151 assists.
The Colts averaged 7.86 kills per set through nine games. Their best offensive performance — and only 40-plus point game — happened in the team’s two victories so far, against La Cite and Seneca.
They will kick off the 2020 season at home against Georgian on Jan. 14 as part of a busy five-game streak in the first month of the year.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Record: 1-8
Standings: Ninth in the OCAA East
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS (season)
Points: Stella Dada (70)
Kills: Stella Dada (56)
Assists: Angel Valenzona (90)
Digs: Stella Dada (76)
The Centennial Colts women’s volleyball team has yet to convert the effort inside the court in victories. Currently carrying a five-game losing streak, the Colts posted a 1-8 record in their first half of their campaign and the school has yet to win a home contest this season.
It was a tough start of the schedule for Centennial, which suffered three straight losses to kick off its campaign. The Colts fell in four sets against the Loyalist Lancers (Oct. 19) in their season debut. Then, they lost on back-to-back days (Oct. 25-26) to the La Cite Coyotes (1-3) and Algonquin Thunder (0-3).
Centennial’s first — and only — win throughout 2019 took place on Nov. 1 against the Fleming Knights on the road in four sets. But the taste of victory was to be short-lived as it was followed by consecutive road challenges against the Georgian Grizzlies (Nov. 9) and Canadore Panthers (Nov. 10).
Despite having a season-high in points (46), the Colts fell short against Georgian (1-3), while they struggled with a season-low 14 points during their straight sets defeat to Canadore.
Although Centennial returned to Progress Campus Athletic and Wellness Centre (AWC) for its next matchup — against the Seneca Sting on Nov. 15 — its offensive struggles continued and resulted in another loss in straight sets.
That was the same narrative for the school’s final two games in 2019: the Colts suffered a couple of straight-sets defeats against the top-ranked Durham Lords at home and the George Brown Huskies on the road, being held under 30 points in each contest and extending their losing streak to five games.
Centennial’s 192 kills, 129 errors, 9.4 hitting percentage, and 284 total points all rank in the bottom 10 of the OCAA throughout the first semester of the year. On the other hand, the Colts are the third-best team in the league in service errors, committing 127 through nine games.
Left side Stella Dada has been the team’s major contributor offensively. She leads Centennial in kills (56) and points (70) this season. Dada also tops the roster in digs made, with 76. Jada Bradford is the other Colt in the 50-point mark (52), as the left/right side has posted 69 points in her first season with the team.
Both of them have received a major contribution from Angel Valenzona’s strong season — she leads the Colts with 90 assists.
Centennial will resume their activities with a busy five-game schedule in January, starting against Georgian at home (Jan. 14).
Check out the full schedule for the Men’s and Women’s volleyball here: https://gocolts.ca/composite