New direction for Gemini junior girls
Article content
In one week, the Glendale High School junior girls volleyball team went from not having a team to winning their first set of the season Thursday against Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute.
IDCI took the two points, winning 25-18, 25-20, 25-7, but Glendale rebounded to win the fourth set 26-24. The Blue Bombers won the fifth set 15-5, but it didn't dampen the Gemini's uplifted mood.
The girls found out after the Christmas Break both coaches had stepped down, but two more came on board at the last minute to save their TVRA season.
Brandan Farquhar and Derek Partlo guided the team through one practice before Thursday's game, and were both on the bench Thursday for what turned out to be three good sets against the Bombers.
"We kind of took it on together," said Farquhar, a skilled volleyballer from Dorchester who just recently started teaching at Glendale. "Just this semester, and I'm here next semester.
"We had one practice and I was just trying to get to know who they were. After that, we played yesterday against Ingersoll (makeup), and again today. So we had a chance to get to know them at least."
The focus at this point in the season, said Farquhar, is being able to transition off the net and get to an attack.
"Running an offence," he said. "Mainly, what I've seen is they're just trying to get the ball over the net. I want to run the offence and make it happen."
The 26-24 win was encouraging, he said.
"It's good to get the zero out of the way," he grinned. "There's some tall girls. We just need to get to know what they can do and then, if we get some practices in, there's a chance to transition into some more wins."
Glendale has two February games on the calendar - Monday, Feb. 6 at Dorchester and Tuesday, Feb. 7 at College Avenue.