by Karina Hunter

Back Row left to right: Lloyd White (holding his sister), Coach Kevin Osadchuk, Damilola Bodunde , Devan Pelletier, Robin Timms, Brandon Sullivan Front Row: Kyle Campbell, Co-Captain Kevin Gauthier, Cody Oseicki, Co-Captain Tyler Sanderson and Coach Ted Lalonde.

In concurence with Saturday’s home opener for the Lakehead Thunderwolves women’s volleyball team vs. Queen’s Gaels, the Thunderwolves Junior Boys Volleyball Challenge was held at Superior High School in Thunder Bay. Teams from six Thunder Bay High Schools, Geraldton Composite from Greenstone, Lake Superior High from Terrace Bay and Manitouwadge High played a full day of volleyball at the brand new state of the art school pausing only to take in the Women’s game at CJ Sanders Fieldhouse. 

Manitouwadge’s Wolverines were off to a solid start in the preliminary round of the eight-team tourney, as they defeated Churchill (25-14, 25-9) but fell to a strong Fort Frances squad (15-25, 21-25) in their next match. “We definitely had to raise the level of our play” said Manitouwadge Co-Captain Tyler Sanderson. Raise the level of play they did defeating LaVerendrye (25-18, 25-5) securing a second place seed in its pool to enter the tournament’s second round.

Manitouwadge went on to pick up victories over fellow Northwestern Secondary School Athletic Association (NSSSAA) teams from Geraldton (25-15, 25-14) and Terrace Bay (25-18, 25-8) locking up the top seed draw for the tournament’s semi-final play where they topped a resilient Churchill team (25-19, 25-16) preparing them to face off against the Fort Frances Muskies for gold.

Characterized by long rallies, relentless attacking from the Muskies and gutsy defense from the Wolverines the final saw Manitouwadge defeat Fort Frances 2-1 to take home 1^st place while Churchill beat Geraldton 2-0 in the third place game. 

“Communication on the floor, teamwork and a positive attitude when we were down (losing), pulled us through in the final,” said Kevin Gauthier, Wolverines Co-Captain.  Lakehead head coach Chris Green enjoyed watching the growth and participation that went on throughout the day “We are seeing a strong level of play. These players and coaches are clearly putting in quality hours to play so well. The final and third place game gave us a very exciting and action packed level of execution. Congratulations to all the athletes and their supporters” said Green. Putting in quality hours indeed, coached by Ted Lalonde and Kevin Osadchuck the Wolverines Jr. Boys began playing in mid-august before school had even begun and are now on the court six days a week for regular practices often sacrificing their lunch hours for added skills training. The Jr Boys Wolverines complete their NSSSAA league schedule on November 2, with a match against the Michipicoten Vikings.  Manitouwadge is undefeated this season, 5-0 in league play having already secured a chance to represent the Central Division at the NSSSAA Finals in Nip-Rock where it will attempt to defend its NSSSAA Jr. Boys Volleyball title from 2008-2009.