Volleyball Season Come and Gone

Yep that's right!  We have another Griffin in the house!  Kailey made the decision NOT to go to Western High School with a bunch of her basketball friends and instead decided to school her brother, I mean go to school with her brother!  They have had a lot of fun going to school together as it has been 4 years since they were in the same school together.  Carson doesn't even mind the fact that all his grade 12 friends think Kailey is pretty darn cool and Kailey fits right in with all of them.  She does have her own group of friends in grade 10 as well.  Her grade 10 friends think that she is so lucky to have a brother in grade 12 because she gets to hang out with all those guys as well.

After 6 gruelling tryouts she managed to secure herself a starting power position on the Jr. Girls Ernest Manning High School volleyball team.  During tryouts her foot began to really bother her and the doctor was suspecting a stress fracture so Kailey was sent for a bone scan of her foot.

Last year Kailey played setter but this year they needed some good power hitters so that is where she ended up playing.

The day we found out her foot was not fractured, and that is was OK for her to play on it (even though she already played a couple of league games on it), Kailey dislocated her hitting shoulder and was out for the rest of the season.  Her volleyball season was cut short this year.

Good thing we still had the senior boys to watch.  Carson was the captain of the team this year.

This is them warming up with their special "stop bullying pink shirts"

Volleyball is a game of momentum and keeping the momentum on your side of the court.  Carson is really good at getting his team going and keeping them talking on the court.  He would always start off the match by saying "Let's have some fun!"

"Connor, are you ready to have some fun?"  Connor can't help but smile at Carson!

Big block by Liam and Carson.

Of course there is always time to pose of the camera.

 Coach Larsen always depends on Carson to keep the team excited and Carson is fun to watch as he celebrates all the good rallies they win.  I love catching him in the moment of pure excitement and love for the competition!  I don't know anybody who is more competitive than Carson.

This is one of my favourite pictures of the season.  It was our last home game and Carson had said to Mr. Larsen "I'm not leaving this gym tonight until I get a big kill!"  A setter playing a 5-1 system rarely gets to pound the ball because they are always the one setting the second ball to the hitters.  Last point of the game and Carson gets a party ball to finish the match with his "big kill!"  He turned to Mr. Larsen and this was his expression!  (notice the players in the back laughing!).  As he walked towards the bench he says to the coach, "You have coached me for three years straight and should know by now that when I put my mind to something and say I am going to do something . . . I WILL do it!"  The coach was smiling from ear to ear!

The boys had a really good team this year.  They lost in the semi finals to Scarlett who had a team full of club players and then they played Western for third place.  The top three teams got to Provincials and Provincials were in Lloyd Minister this year.  None of the boys wanted to go all the way up there and so they didn't play very hard to win third place.  Carson was just fine with that because we all know what happens after volleyball season is over . . . . . BASKETBALL SEASON!!!

EMHS and Playoff Weekend

So Ernest Manning High School had a busy weekend of play offs!  Their Football team was in the City Final game and so Jordan and Grant went to cheer them on in the cold.  

Then all four volleyball teams were in the city finals!  

Carson has always wanted to see his name in lights so here he is.  How do you like his listed height?

 It is the month of November and you know what happens in November besides volleyball play offs?  Boys grow beards and moustaches.  Carson was pretty proud of his facial hair this month.  He couldn't stop touching his face during his games.

Just before starting warm up in the city final game I caught him telling his coach how they were going to win even if they didn't play well because the other team was going to be so intimidated by his facial hair flowing in the wind when he jumps to set the ball!   Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!

 A little jump serving action during warm up.

 And our mascot getting ready for the big game.

And its game time!  Coach Larson giving Carson encouragement as he heads on to the court for his last game of the season.  "Make it count Carson, you are the quarter back of this team."

Action!

Reaction . . . after an amazing 51 set and Sean pounds it down!

 Coach Larson as the boys win another rally.
One more point to go to win the City Championship!

One more rally and . . . .

They won!!!

 Carson receiving his gold metal!

Three of the four Ernest Manning Volleyball teams city championships that weekend.

A few more banners to put on the gym wall!

Cavaliers in the Playoffs!

Kailey's volleyball team did really well this year!

Kailey was actually told by her doctor and physiotherapist that she needed to take a few months break from her sports because her knees are giving her such problems.  She gave up cross country and basketball training this fall but wouldn't give up volleyball.

 She played setter for the team this year so she didn't have to do as much jumping on her knees (except for blocking).  It was a sad finish to the season when they lost in the semi finals by 2 points after playing all 5 sets.  It was frustrating for Kailey because they had beaten the team before but just couldn't  pull it together on the night that really counted.  Cavalier volleyball is now over for Kailey and it was a sad day for her.

Back At IT!

We are back at it . . . school, homework, seminary, dance, activities, and lots of

VOLLEYBALL!

The Cavaliers have a pretty strong team this year.  They came in second in our home tournament.  

Lost by just a couple of points.

Georgia and Kailey are the captains of this team.

A little back row hitting action from Kailey at the Bishop Carroll tournament.

And then from there we go to watch the Ernest Manning High School Senior boys 

battle it out playing some amazing volleyball!

 A little jousting action at the net for Carson!

This team is really fun to watch because they get so pumped and excited!

 Carson is the only starter that is not a club volleyball player.

 He is the setter for the Senior team . . .

  . . . and loves having middle hitters that can pound the quick sets!

 All the guys are really good at giving their setter props after they get a great set and are able to pound the ball down for a point.

The crowds at the first home game of the season. That's Carson's best friend (brother as they call each other) saying, "Did you see that block?  That was my brother!"

Sean and Carson put up a pretty great  block.  Their timing is perfect and they are right in sync!

 Boy we love this game!  It makes us happy!

 Even though this pic is a little blurry it says it all!  

Winners of their home tournament!