Scoreboard

Bishop Ryan closes Regular Season with Two Final Wins

BR's midget and junior teams come home victorious over Cathedral.

By: Jenna Frank

Friday the 13th turned out to be a good day for the Bishop Ryan volleyball teams, as both the junior and midget girls teams took home wins in their last regular season games.

The Midget team started off their game strong, winning their first two sets more than comfortably. Jessica Drag played a great game in the back court, as did libero Michelle Taraschi. Setter Carly Antonucci also played a great game, setting high passes out to power position.

Unfortunately, the third and fourth set were rough patches for the team, as they lost two close sets. Kata Boric played strong at the net, but unfortunately missed the fourth set, where she could have helped out the Celtic team. Sarah Polimeni, serving specialist, also served up a storm for Cathedral. She was also missing in action during the fourth set.

Despite this, the team pulled their act together for the final set, and won 15- 9. The team heads into the playoffs in third place.

On the other side of the gym, the junior girls were playing their hearts out in their final game of the season. The entire team played a fantastic first set, keeping the Gaels in single digits, 25-9.

Victoria Whalen looked particularly strong as setter during this set. Jessica Krizmanic's jump serve totally threw off the Gaels in this set too, when she served seven straight.

The second and third sets of the game were much closer however. Setter Tia Arcaro managed to contribute 10 straight serves to the Gaels. Numerous were aces, but the Gales were able to return majority of them.

Bianca Posteraro also played a smart game as setter, taking advantage of Cathedral's many holes in the court. Bishop Ryan won this tight set 25-22.  

In the third set, Victoria Whalen added seven powerful serves to some points to the Celtic scoreboard. Unfortunately, it was not enough. The Gaels fought back hard and managed to edge the Celtic team out in the third set 25-22.

In the fourth set, the Celtic team started off a bit slow. Eventually, they picked up their game, and came back from behind to win the set 25-20. The team enters playoffs in fourth position next week.

Quarter finals begin next Thursday. 

           

Lady Celtics Take 2nd in Pre-Season Tournament

Junior girls' volleyball season looks promising in pre-season.

By: Jenna Frank

Today, Bishop Ryan's junior girls' volleyball team competed in Cathedral's "Serves for Haiti" tournament.

The day started off against the tournament hosts, the Cathedral Gaels. Bishop Ryan defeated the Gaels in two sets 25-19 and 25-20. Victoria Whalen, offside/setter, was on top of her game from the serving line.

After a win against Cathedral, BR took on St. Thomas More. The team easily defeated STM, by keeping their score in single digits during the first set. Although the Knights tried to make a comeback in the second set, BR played strong and won 25-15. Middle hitter Alexandria Botelho was the leader of the Celtic defense at the net. Libero, Kamila Pogoda, also played a great game, while setter Tia Arcaro's serves were too much for STM to handle. 

Next, Bishop Ryan took on the other BR- Bishop Redding. Yet again, the team swept the game in two sets. Power hitter Tori Gardiner was on fire at the serving line. Power hitter, Jessica Krizmanic had several kills at the net. She also contributed her powerful serves to help assist in the win.

During the last game of pool play, Bishop Ryan faced off against the Parkview Panthers. There were some rough patches for BR in this game. The team was able to win one set, but lost the other, although both sets were very close. Katie Deck played a great game at the net. Botelho and Krizmanic continued their excellent game play also. Setter, Tia Arcaro had a sound game too.

The strong Celtic team was able to advance to the championship game due to their excellent pool play. Bishop Ryan played Parkview yet again. Unfortunately, during the first set, the team let the championship pressure get to them.

In addition, libero Kamila Pogoda injured herself during the last part of this set. Despite her absence in the second set, the team fought back hard to redeem themselves. Krizmanic's power serves challenged the Panthers.

The final score was close, but BR narrowly lost the set, and ultimately the game. Regardless of this, the team is still proud of their second place finish.

"Overall, we played well. When we got to the championship game, we just froze, and forgot our basics. We really did improve and it was a learning experience for us", says student coach Korinn Davies.

This tournament shows promising Celtic potential for the season. The junior girls were able to win against two league opponents- St. Thomas More and Cathedral. They also had an opportunity to try some new tricks against new teams. Moreover, they also received a challenge in the championship game. It is safe to say the team will learn from this experience. 

The junior, along with the midget and senior teams, will begin their season December 2.  

Senior Boys Volleyball: Cathedral Gaels 3, Bishop Ryan 0

Gaels win the "ship"

By: Vivi Bragues

Cathedral Gaels win their first three sets against Bishop Ryan Celtics, in the Gaels gym on November 6^th, taking their much-anticipated championship.

The Celtics took a three-point lead in the beginning of the first set, but Cathedral did not give up. With much determination from Gael Captain Marcin Jedrezjewski, and his team, Cathedral takes over the set and wins with a three-point lead.

With the Celtics in a three-point lead in the second set, Marcin Jedrzejewski and Gael’s libero Pawel Jedrezjewski make an unthinkable save, and start the set off for the Gaels. Both teams showed tremendous effort and talent, keeping the fans hanging at the edge of their seats. The Gaels won the close set with a powerful hit by Captain Jedrezjewski, 25- 23.

The Cathedral Boys had one more set to win before they could bring home the ‘ship’. With a load of pressure from the cheering (some screaming) fans, the Gaels continued to fight. Like the prior two sets, Bishop Ryan took the first point, but the Gaels would not have any of that. The boys worked and fought like a team, revealing all the hard training they endured all season. With Gaels’ talented setter Tu Vu, and strong hitters Luan Do and Captain Jedrezjewski, the boys took the lead.

The Gaels were four points away from their victory and the Celtics brought out their hidden talents. The two teams alternated points, fighting for the same dream and killing the fans with anticipation. Now, two points away from the win, Celtics serve but lost the play to Do’s monster hit.

Gael’s Bart Jedrezjewski focuses before he takes yet another point for the team, bringing them a mere point away from winning it all

In the last play of the game, Bart Jedrezjewski digs the ball to Vu, who sets it perfectly to the team Captain. Jedrezjewski absolutely kills the ball with his final hit of the season, making the Celtic blocker knock the ball out of bounds.

Although all three sets were so close, Cathedral Gaels proved themselves to be the stronger and more prepared team.

More than a hundred fanatic fans painted and clothed in blue and white rushed the court, cheering for their school’s victory. When Cathedral’s head of Physical Education, Andrea McCabe, anounced “This is your championship, Cathedral Gaels senior boys” over the microphone, the fans went even more wild.

Cathedral coaches, Mrs. Dumpey and Ms. Tancredi said: “It was an amazing game- a mental game. They come together and played their best game so far”, and hinted towards the boy’s GHAC game coming up.

Braves win Quarter-Final game against Gaels

By:  Nicole Siena

This past Friday Saint Jean de Brebeuf Braves faced the Cathedral Gaels in the Quarter- Final football game at Ivor Wynne Stadium.
The first half left the Gaels down 14-0, in a defensive showdown.  “[This] lead was entirely thanks to our defence” said James Collura, Left Offensive Tackle, and one of the team Capitan’s.   
Joey Cupido had an amazing first half, with a total of three interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
During the second half, the defence continued with two more interceptions (for a total of five by the end of the game), one of which was made by K.C Cupido, and another by Spencer Moore.
Offence started stepping up their game, with a great effort put forth by Eric Johnson, Mevand Wassel, Marcus Malisa, and Kwasi Kwajah.  
The game ended with a 31-0 win for the braves.
“The defence played extremely well... they kept us in the game. Overall, I am pleased with our effort” explained Head Coach Steve Alfano “But there is more work to be done”.  Brebeuf is set to play the semi-final game this Friday against Cardinal Newman.

Junior Girls Basketball: Bishop Ryan 40, Cathedral 34

Bishop Ryan finishes the season on a good note.

By: Jenna Frank

Last night, Bishop Ryan's junior girls basketball team took on Cathedral in the last game of the regular season.

It was a rough night on the court. Both teams were giving and receiving hard fouls. Despite this, the game play looked better than ever. Bishop Ryan held a bit of a lead heading into the remaining minutes of the game.

During the last two minutes of the game, the determined Gaels fought hard to tie the score back up. In an attmept at victory, the Gaels became more aggressive, which brought the Celtics to the foul line. Ultimately, it was the key foul shooting that secured the game for Bishop Ryan.

"The girls played one of there most beautiful games, one that a coach could ever hope for", says a very proud Coach Leskovic.

The junior girls, along with BR's midget and senior girls basketball teams begin playoffs next week.

Senior Boys Volleyball: Bishop Ryan 2, Cathedral 3

Celtics fall short in overtime

By: Jenna Frank

Last night the senior boys volleyball team took on the undefeated Cathedral Gaels. So far, the Gaels have been the only ones to put a dent in the nearly perfect Celtic season record. The boys were ready for a tough game.

In the first set, the team showed great teamwork, as they together fought hard against the Gaels. The great defense at the net gave the Celtics the edge over Cathedral as they won the set 25-22.

The second set was just as exciting as the boys kept the momentum going. Power hitter Jeremy Bochenek was a force to be wreckoned with at the net. Bishop Ryan took another close set 25-22.

At this point, the pressure was on for both teams as BR could possibly sweep Cathedral three straight sets and end their undefeated record. The sound Celtic performance remained in this third set. Middle hitter Rafal Hyrszko played a great set both as a hitter and key blocker, while libero, Ryan Valconi, gave a solid performance.  Unfortuntely, Cathedral won the set 26-24.

The fourth set was a rough patch for the Celtics, which resulted in a final, tie breaking fifth set. Suddenly, serves became more crucial than ever in this set. After numerous long rallys, the Gaels pushed ahead of BR to win the set, and ultimately the game.

Bishop Ryan's senior team is very confident for playoffs. BR takes on the quarter-final round Friday afternoon at Bishop Ryan.

Junior Boys Volleyball : Brebeuf 3, Cathedral 1

Junior Gaels continue to fight

By : Vivi Bragues

Cathedral Gales unexpectedly took the lead in the first set of their game, today, against the first place team, Brebeuf. Neil Santos definitely lead the Gaels to the win of the first set, 25- 22.

The Gaels continued to fight throughout the second, third and, fourth set, but came up short. There was strong effort from Steven Dely, Matthew Guido, Martin, Neil Santos and most importantly Firas Saleh.

Cathedral coach Mr. Rui was very proud of his team. He did not expect to win the set against Brebeuf, especially when his star player, Adam Felinczak, was benched due to an injury. 

The Gaels play St. Thomas More, at four o’clock, on Thursday October 23, in the Cathedral gym.

Girls Field Hockey:Celtics defeated by Cathedral in quarter-finals

Celtic Field Hockey Season comes to an End

By: Jenna Frank

Bishop Ryan’s Lady Celtics hit the field at Mohawk’s Sports Complex last week for quarter-final action. The Celtics faced off against the strong Cathedral Gaels team.

The heavy rain and cold winds did not disrupt winning mindset of the ladies. The girls put forth tremendous effort and played their hearts out in a tough game. Unfortunately, the Celtics fell short in the end, and suffered a hard loss.

This game puts an end to the field hockey season for BR.

Jenna Frank is a student at Bishop Ryan

Boys' Football: Bishop Tonnos defeats Cathedral

By: Eliane Barras

With great weather, the school decorated and attending students in full Titans gear, Bishop Tonnos readily hosted the boys' football games on Friday. With a hard-fought 21-16 win for the Senior Boys, the Titans kept their hopes up for their second game. Sure enough, the Junior Titans came away with a great 34-10 score.