By Larry Moko
It’s back-to-back championships in senior girls’ high school volleyball for the Bishop Tonnos Titans.
In a battle between two teams that finished with identical 13-1 records atop the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic standings this season, the Titans defeated the visiting St. Thomas More Knights 3-0 for the crown Thursday.
Set scores were 25-11, 25-20, 25-11.
Both advance to the Golden Horseshoe Athletic Conference semifinals Wednesday, Feb. 21. Tonnos plays host to Burlington Notre Dame while More travels to Oakville Trafalgar to take on the Red Devils.
Tonnos won the AAA gold medal at last year’s OFSAA tournament in Barrie and hopes to challenge for the title again next month in Markham.
“It feels really good,” Titans outside hitter Kennedy Llewellyn said of the repeat city championship. “We have a lot of young girls on the team this year, so it’s crazy that we won again with all the new girls coming in.”
Llewellyn was the leading point getter for Tonnos. Other top scorers included setter Avaya Maga, Maryn Petrie and middle Eva Aleksa.
Llewellyn had numerous kills and they were assisted for the most part by Maga.
“We’ve played together since we were 11 years old,” Llewellyn said. “We have that connection.”
Maga, who attended training sessions at Canada’s National Excellence Program in B.C. earlier this season, was also extremely effective against More with her taps at the net and serving. She has verbally committed to attend the University of Oklahoma and play for the Sooners.
Kennedy, too, is weighing offers from Division I schools in beach volleyball.
Avaya Maga’s parents – Steve and Alvisia – were both OUA all-star players when they attended McMaster University. Steve played basketball for the Marauders and Alvisia’s sport was volleyball.
Currently co-instructional head of phys-ed at Tonnos, Steve said his wife was dedicated to the sport as a player and so is his daughter.
“They are alike in their work ethic and their seriousness to the game and the sport,” Steve said. “When they step on the court it’s all business all the time.
“It’s incredible to watch her (Avaya) develop into the player that she is becoming. I’m excited to see what the future holds for her.”
Offensively, More was led by Raquel Lalli, Sophie Clark, Ava Milligan and Julianna Boldin.
“Bishop Tonnos played really well,” More coach Faith Feeney said. “They always bring it. That’s one of their traits. They are very consistent.
“We’re hoping to see them again (in a GHAC final).”
Other Tonnos players for coaches Alvisia Maga and Dennis Cerovac include Katelyn Masters, Alyssa Cerovac, Christina DiFilice, Rachel Campbell, Estelle Buist, Julia Germanna, Veronica Navarette and Mara Craciun.
Photos by Bob Butrym, RFB Sport Photography
More photos on the HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page here
