"Volleyball is a true team sport. Unlike basketball where an individual player can 'own the court,' volleyball requires every player on the court to work together with every touch of the ball to get it to hit the floor on their opponents’ side of the net."
Girls’ volleyball was on the athletic calendar at Almaguin from its earliest days. Volleyball was arguably a more popular team sport for girls than basketball. This was affirmed by the active intramural volleyball leagues and the high participation levels at try-outs for the teams that would represent Almaguin at the Muskoka-Parry Sound (MPS) District level.
Almaguin’s girls’ volleyball squads had success in MPS Championship games as early as the 1968-69 season and teams in each age category won an MPS Championship title at one time or another between 1968-69 and 1979-80.
The 1978-79 season was particularly successful for Almaguin’s Girls’ Volleyball teams. All three teams qualified to compete in the Georgian Bay Secondary School Association (GBSSA) Championships - the Junior and Senior teams by virtue of their respective MPS Championship title wins and the Midget team by means of their second-place finish in the MPS Championships. Unfortunately, none of Almaguin’s MPS Girls’ Volleyball Championship teams were as successful at their respective GBSSA Championship tournaments. Not to make excuses, but players and coaches alike recognized that their Almaguin teams faced stiff competition from city-based high school teams who practised more than twice a week and benefited from playing in competitive city leagues as well as in their scheduled inner-city high school games.
Apart from their stellar play, the Almaguin girls did take notice of the fashionable team kits (uniform tops and shorts, warm-up suits and jackets) worn by their GBSSA opponents. So, upon returning home from their GBSSA Championship tournament, the girls on Almaguin’s 1974-75 MPS Junior Volleyball Championship team was quick to order team jackets for themselves. What a nice memento for all their hard work!
The following are some memories that former team members have shared:
Volleyball Fashion
An historical profile of girls’ volleyball teams at Almaguin would not be complete without a review of some of the more highly discussed team uniforms.
As can be seen in the team photos, starting with the 1968-69 season, the Junior and Senior girls’ volleyball uniforms wore a button front, sleeveless A-line style top that flared slightly at the hem. This style was flattering for all body types. The mini-dress length tops, in Highlander green or gold, were paired initially with black bottoms with elasticized leg openings. Comments from former players indicate that the rayon blend fabric was not as complimentary for athletic efforts, citing that it lacked breathability, and constricted movement. When this version of the uniform was last worn by the 1973-74 Midget Girls team, it was paired with athletic pull-on shorts with an elasticized waist.
The 1972-73 Senior Girls were the first team to bid the dress-style uniform top a fond farewell when they were outfitted in a short top and bottom set. While a move in the right direction towards a more athletic uniform, former players complained that the shorts were uncomfortably binding and restrictive and that the tops were too short. In fact, Tracy Harkness and fellow 1974-75 Senior Girls teammate Jean Anne Lang fought to wear the volleyball uniforms for which they were personally fitted as members of Team Northern Ontario that competed at the 1975 Winter Games. Fortunately, the tops and shorts were similar enough in colour and style to that of their Almaguin team to meet the MPS Playing Regulation requirements for uniform and equipment.
The 1974-75 and 1975-76 Junior Girls’ teams were outfitted in the updated style of the minidress length A-line top. The new sleeveless top was more form fitting and sported a scalloped hemline that was edged with a contrasting green piping and complemented with athletic style short bottoms in the contrasting green colour. The one benefit of this uniform, affectionately called the “Wilma Flintstone”, was that it was made of a stretchy polyester knit fabric.
By the 1977-78 season, the number and height of the members of the Midget Girls team now made the Wilma Flintstone dress uniform tops obsolete. That year, the Midget team was dressed in their gym T-shirts, with hand-sewn numbers, and shorts. From then on, the girls’ volleyball teams were outfitted in athletic uniforms that maximized their performance.
The Coaches
Mrs. Linda (McNabb) Hall was the Almaguin girls’ volleyball coach with the most MPS Championship wins during the early years. She was fortunate to have some of the best girl athletes at Almaguin to fill her Midget, Junior or Senior team rosters. But when it came to filling the last spot, she advised that she often looked for a girl who could sing or play guitar. What better way to uplift the spirits and to relieve tension, lower stress hormones and distract a busload of teenaged girls?
Although Mrs. Linda Pigott did not coach an MPS Championship team, she was instrumental in introducing the one-setter formation and applicable rotations and defense strategies to her volleyball squads. In addition to honing their ability to “bump, set and spike” the ball, a portion of her practices was devoted to teaching the girls where they needed to be on the court after serving or returning a serve, receiving a free ball, or defending middle, outside and back hits and blocks at the net.
In her first year coaching at Almaguin, Mrs. Pigott vividly remembers how frightened she was for the safety of the girls who were let off at the side of Highway 11 on the return bus ride from an away game. She marveled at how “matter of fact” the girls were that this was a normal practice. She says that her heart did not stop racing until she saw a car or house in the distance flicker a welcoming light.
Mrs. Joan Hale commented that the student athletes she coached at Almaguin were terrific. She remarked about their friendliness and dedication. Her strategy as a volleyball coach was to go back to basics and use the two-setter formation. That gave everyone an opportunity to play and contribute to the teams’ success, which in turn made the experience more enjoyable for all. Fairness, self-control, and respect for both the games officials and her opponents were virtues of sportsmanship she taught her players.
Volleyball is a true team sport. Unlike basketball where an individual player can “own the court”, volleyball requires every player on the court to work together with every touch of the ball to get it to hit the floor on their opponents’ side of the net. It is likely for this reason that none of the former coaches or players chose to single out an individual player as notable alumni. If that does not embody the spirit of a true team player, what does!
Almaguin’s girls’ volleyball squads had success in MPS Championship games as early as the 1968-69 season and teams in each age category won an MPS Championship title at one time or another between 1968-69 and 1979-80.
The 1978-79 season was particularly successful for Almaguin’s Girls’ Volleyball teams. All three teams qualified to compete in the Georgian Bay Secondary School Association (GBSSA) Championships - the Junior and Senior teams by virtue of their respective MPS Championship title wins and the Midget team by means of their second-place finish in the MPS Championships. Unfortunately, none of Almaguin’s MPS Girls’ Volleyball Championship teams were as successful at their respective GBSSA Championship tournaments. Not to make excuses, but players and coaches alike recognized that their Almaguin teams faced stiff competition from city-based high school teams who practised more than twice a week and benefited from playing in competitive city leagues as well as in their scheduled inner-city high school games.
Apart from their stellar play, the Almaguin girls did take notice of the fashionable team kits (uniform tops and shorts, warm-up suits and jackets) worn by their GBSSA opponents. So, upon returning home from their GBSSA Championship tournament, the girls on Almaguin’s 1974-75 MPS Junior Volleyball Championship team was quick to order team jackets for themselves. What a nice memento for all their hard work!
The following are some memories that former team members have shared:
- on the team bus:
- trying to finish (or get a good part of) their homework assignments completed on the ride to their away game before the sun went down
- impromptu sing-a-longs (or hum-a-longs) to the 8-track tapes of artists of the 1970s such as The Bee Gees, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Wings, etc.
- singing most of the verses of 99 Bottles of Beer
- playing Euchre to pass the time on the team bus
- home and away games
- “goofing around” in the stands while waiting for the Midget, Junior or Senior teams to complete their matches
- “someone” getting their hand stuck in the back of the bleachers and breaking two fingers;
- developing and strengthening lifelong friendships with teammates who shared an interest in competitive sports.
Volleyball Fashion
An historical profile of girls’ volleyball teams at Almaguin would not be complete without a review of some of the more highly discussed team uniforms.
As can be seen in the team photos, starting with the 1968-69 season, the Junior and Senior girls’ volleyball uniforms wore a button front, sleeveless A-line style top that flared slightly at the hem. This style was flattering for all body types. The mini-dress length tops, in Highlander green or gold, were paired initially with black bottoms with elasticized leg openings. Comments from former players indicate that the rayon blend fabric was not as complimentary for athletic efforts, citing that it lacked breathability, and constricted movement. When this version of the uniform was last worn by the 1973-74 Midget Girls team, it was paired with athletic pull-on shorts with an elasticized waist.
The 1972-73 Senior Girls were the first team to bid the dress-style uniform top a fond farewell when they were outfitted in a short top and bottom set. While a move in the right direction towards a more athletic uniform, former players complained that the shorts were uncomfortably binding and restrictive and that the tops were too short. In fact, Tracy Harkness and fellow 1974-75 Senior Girls teammate Jean Anne Lang fought to wear the volleyball uniforms for which they were personally fitted as members of Team Northern Ontario that competed at the 1975 Winter Games. Fortunately, the tops and shorts were similar enough in colour and style to that of their Almaguin team to meet the MPS Playing Regulation requirements for uniform and equipment.
The 1974-75 and 1975-76 Junior Girls’ teams were outfitted in the updated style of the minidress length A-line top. The new sleeveless top was more form fitting and sported a scalloped hemline that was edged with a contrasting green piping and complemented with athletic style short bottoms in the contrasting green colour. The one benefit of this uniform, affectionately called the “Wilma Flintstone”, was that it was made of a stretchy polyester knit fabric.
By the 1977-78 season, the number and height of the members of the Midget Girls team now made the Wilma Flintstone dress uniform tops obsolete. That year, the Midget team was dressed in their gym T-shirts, with hand-sewn numbers, and shorts. From then on, the girls’ volleyball teams were outfitted in athletic uniforms that maximized their performance.
The Coaches
Mrs. Linda (McNabb) Hall was the Almaguin girls’ volleyball coach with the most MPS Championship wins during the early years. She was fortunate to have some of the best girl athletes at Almaguin to fill her Midget, Junior or Senior team rosters. But when it came to filling the last spot, she advised that she often looked for a girl who could sing or play guitar. What better way to uplift the spirits and to relieve tension, lower stress hormones and distract a busload of teenaged girls?
Although Mrs. Linda Pigott did not coach an MPS Championship team, she was instrumental in introducing the one-setter formation and applicable rotations and defense strategies to her volleyball squads. In addition to honing their ability to “bump, set and spike” the ball, a portion of her practices was devoted to teaching the girls where they needed to be on the court after serving or returning a serve, receiving a free ball, or defending middle, outside and back hits and blocks at the net.
In her first year coaching at Almaguin, Mrs. Pigott vividly remembers how frightened she was for the safety of the girls who were let off at the side of Highway 11 on the return bus ride from an away game. She marveled at how “matter of fact” the girls were that this was a normal practice. She says that her heart did not stop racing until she saw a car or house in the distance flicker a welcoming light.
Mrs. Joan Hale commented that the student athletes she coached at Almaguin were terrific. She remarked about their friendliness and dedication. Her strategy as a volleyball coach was to go back to basics and use the two-setter formation. That gave everyone an opportunity to play and contribute to the teams’ success, which in turn made the experience more enjoyable for all. Fairness, self-control, and respect for both the games officials and her opponents were virtues of sportsmanship she taught her players.
Volleyball is a true team sport. Unlike basketball where an individual player can “own the court”, volleyball requires every player on the court to work together with every touch of the ball to get it to hit the floor on their opponents’ side of the net. It is likely for this reason that none of the former coaches or players chose to single out an individual player as notable alumni. If that does not embody the spirit of a true team player, what does!
Championship Teams
Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions
Midget Girls:1973-74, 1976-77
Junior Girls: 1974-75, 1977-78, 1978-79
Senior Girls: 1968-69, 1970-71, 1971-72, 1978-79
Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions
Midget Girls:1973-74, 1976-77
Junior Girls: 1974-75, 1977-78, 1978-79
Senior Girls: 1968-69, 1970-71, 1971-72, 1978-79
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Team Photos
1967-68
Junior: Back row from left: Linda Bass, Patti King, Jean Lorusso, Marie Hicks, Debby Phippen. From row: Charlene Aultman, Debby Armstrong, Barb Sova, Sharon Kent
Senior: Back: Sharon Hewitt. Middle from left: Janet Swan, Teresa Traves, Zoe Brooks. Front: Nancy Bass, Marilyn Firmin, Vivian Rick, Janice Copeman
1968-69
Junior: Back from left: Diane Jeffrey (Manager), Lynn Morris, Connie Harmer, Charlene Aultman, Donna McCabe, Betty Hicks, Kay Young. Front: Susan Russell, Susan Barker, Sandy Kidd, Marie Hicks, Barbara Kent, Noeen Busch
Senior Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions: Back from left: Janet Schneider, Heather Brooks, Jeannie Larusso, Barbara Sova, Sandy Parkes, Patti King, Linda Bass. Front: Janice Copeman, Marilyn Brooks, Janet Swan, Sandy Hampel, Nancy Bass
1969-70
Junior: From left: Betty Hicks, Sharon Sohm, Linda McCutcheon, Debbie Garland, Vicki Hewitt, Cheryl Smith, Judy King. Absent: Rhonda Palmer, Anne Marie Robertson, Joan Aultman, Jean Thompson, Sandy Kidd, Elaine Butson (Manager)
Senior: Back row from left: Marie Hicks, Bev Smith (Manager), Sharon Stewart, Patti King. Front row: Jane Van Toen, Noreen Busch, Nancy Hall, Susan Russell, Marilyn Brooks. Absent: Donna McCabe, Ann Van Mierlo, Pauline Weiler
1970-71
Junior A: Front from left: Brenda Liles, Joan Goulding, Janice Hall, Valerie Adams, Diane Zaharie. Back: Vicki Hewitt, Sharon Sohm, Helen Major, Mrs. Linda Grawbarger (Coach), Linda McCutcheon, Janet Heinonen, Terri Brooks
Junior B: From row from left: Heather Langford, Glenda Sinclair. Standing: Kathy Morris, Maureen Bolton, Kathy Hummel, Mrs. Linda Grawbarger (Coach), Faye Armstrong, Pat Hicks, Valerie Hall
Senior Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions: Front from left: Debbie Zaharie, Betty Hicks, Anne Van Mierlo, Marie Hicks, Debbie Liles, Back: Miss Linda McNabb (Hall) (Coach), Rhonda Palmer, Lynn Kehoe, Debbie Garland, Sandy Kidd, Barb Moore, Pauline Weiler
1971-72
Junior A: Front row from left: Mary Lou Kehoe, Vicki Hewitt, Marlene Epple, Jane Van Mierlo, Brenda Liles, Mary Anne Moore. Back: Jean Anne Lang, Julie Smith, Cathy Young, Pauline Heinonen, Tracy Harkness, Janet Heinonen, Valerie Hall, Mrs. Linda Grawbarger (Coach)
Junior B: From left front row: Glenda Sinclair, Susan Preston. Back: Gail Floyd, Valerie Hope, Pat Hicks, Lorraine Peever, Miss Mary Helen Conlon (Coach). Absent: Cathy Morris, Cathy Hummell, Debbie Carnevale, Susan Johnston, Lorraine Robertson, Cheryl Whittaker
Senior Muskoka-Parry Sound AA Champions: Front row from left: Joan Goulding, Jan Gennoe, Diane Zaharie. Second row: Mrs. Linda Hall (Coach), Betty Hicks, Sharon Sohm, Janice Hall, Susan Newman (Manager), Pauline Weiler, Rhonda Palmer, Sandy Kidd. Absent: Valerie Adams, Debbie Garland, Lynn Kehoe (Captain)
1972-73
Junior A: Front row from left: Janice Marshall, Noreen Basso, Caroline Goulding, Cheryl Whittaker. Back: Mary Lou Kehoe, Julie Smith, Jean Anne Lang, Tracy Harkness, Lorraine Peever, Rhonda Attwell, Mrs. Linda Pigott (Coach)
Junior B: Front from left: Cindy Hummel, Wannita Hummel, Faye Timpano, Debbie Blackmore, Penny Brandt. Back: Gail Floyd, Wendy Oshell, Lorraine Robertson, Carol Brimacombe, Valerie Hall, Miss Mary Helen Conlin (Coach)
Senior: Front row from left: Jane Van Mierlo, Joan Goulding, Brenda Liles, Sharon Sohm, Lynn Kehoe. Back: Mrs. Linda Hall (Coach), Janet Heinonen, Kathy Morris, Betty Hicks, Pauline Heinonen, Cathy Trinier
1973-74
eMidget Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions: Back row from left: Debbie Blackmore, Lee Ann Cornwell, Cyndy Young, Miss Mary Helen Conlin (Coach). Front: Mary Catherine Holenski, Cindy Hummel, Shirley Hall. Absent: Mary Ellen Kelsall
Junior: Back from left: Carol Brimacombe, Dianne Brooks, Cheryl Kehoe, Debbie Harkness, Tracy Whitmell. Front: Karen Labar, Noreen Basso, Cheryl Whittaker, Yinka Aiyede, Mrs. Linda Hall (Coach)
Senior: Back from left: Jean Anne Lang, Julie Smith, Tracy Harkness, Pauline Heinonen, Mrs. Linda Pigott (Coach). Front: Caroline Goulding, Lorraine Robertson, Jane Van Mierlo, Mary Lou Kehoe, Linda Pinkerton
1974-75
Midget: Back row from left: Judy Giesler (Manager), Stephanie Sandor (Manager), Chris Purdon, Jennifer Decker, Diana Thornborrow, Laurie Edwards. Front: Cathy Rich, Barb Paul, Chris Schamehorn, Mary Hollard
Junior Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions: Back row from left: Joanne Middlekoop (Official), Anne Holenski, (Official), Tracy Whitmell, Debbie Harkness, Yinka Aiyede, Cindy Elliott (Official), Cathy Dewar (Official). Front: Lee Anne Cornwell, Mary Holenski, Tami Busch, Shirley Hall, Cindy Hummell, Mrs. Linda Hall (Coach)
Senior: Back from left: Jean Anne Lang, Rhonda Attwell, Tracy Harkness, Dianne Brooks, Valerie Hall. Front: Caroline Goulding, Cheryl Whittaker, Mary Lou Kehoe, Debbie Blackmore
1975-76
Midget: Front row from left: Lori Maeck, Linda Wahlers, Penny Young, Dale Barber, Maxine McAughey, Pat Kehoe. Back: Mrs. Linda Hall (Coach), Janet Currie, Afolake Aiyede, Linda Warner, Chris Purdon, Phyllis Loxton, Mary Lou Busch
Junior: Front from left: Pam Hargrave, Barb Paul, Judy Kunkel, Linda Noll. Back: Tami Busch, Sherri Osbourne, Majorie Van Mierlo, Laurie Edwards, Mr. Jim MacLachlan (Coach)
Senior: Front row from left: Debbie Blackmore, Caroline Goulding, Yinka Aiyede, Mary Holenski, Cheryl Whittaker, Tracy Whitmell. Back: Mrs. Linda Pigott (Coach), Lee Ann Cornwell, Debbie Harkness, Tracy Harkness, Rhonda Attwell, Cindy Hummel, Karen LeBar
1977-78
Midget: Back row from left: Mrs. Joan Hale (Coach), Cora Carr, Kathy Conrad, Tracy Grasser, Sally Anne Hummel, Lori Hogan, JoAnne Meeks, Sylvie Houle (Manager). Front row: Sue Brogan, Sherry Young, Janice Levely, Jenny Boudreau, Karen Moore, Therea Dubois. Absent: Kathy Fong
nJunior Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions: Back from left: Mrs Linda Hall (Coach), Liz Paul, Jane Parker, Laura Thoma, Heidi Haysey, Sonya Wagner, Afolake Aiyede (Manager). Front: Shelley Lacombe, Manuela Stevensen, Janet Spry, Sherri Hawthorne, Anne Yaranton, Marlene Newman
Senior: Back row from left: Mr. Jim Maclachlan (Coach), Barb Paul, Diane Cornwell, Yinka Aiyede, Tracy Whitmell. Front: Cathy Rich, Doris Rother, Mary Holenski, Sherri Osbourne. Absent: Patti Pettitt (Manager)
1978-79
Midget: Back from left: Jill Edwards, Suzie DeVries, Cindy Brooks, Chris Farrell, Kim Tuulos, Kelli White, Ms Carol Miller (Coach). Front: Elana Courvoisier, Kelly McCabe, Chris Diver, Paulianne Rennette, Lolidy Stiller, Mary Hampel, Jane Henry
Junior Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions: Back row from left: Brenda Peters, Jenny Budreau, Liz Paul, Shelley Lacombe, Karen Moore, Jane Parker, Paula Nowak, Mrs. Joan Hale (Coach). Front: Sylvie Houle (Manager), JoAnne Meeks, Theresa Dubois, Sherry Young, Laura Thoma, Ann Yarranton.
Senior Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions: Back row from left: Doris Rother, Manuella Stevenson, Carol Stanley, Afolake Aiyede, Dale Barber, Mrs. Linda Hall (Coach). Front: Sonya Wagner, Laurie Edwards, Sherry Osborne, Barb Paul, Janet Spry, Debbie Fetterly, Sherri Hawthorne, Jackie Peace
1979-80
Midget: Back row from left: Mr. Jim MacLachlan (Coach), Cheryl Odrowski, Kim Busch, Lesley Fraser, Laurie Clapperton, Lisa Yarranton, Sandra Hannaford. Front row: Paula Welsh, Kerry Moore, Keely Shierl, Loretta Courvoisier, Claudette Guillemette, Christine Richards.
Junior: Back row from left: Karen Moore (Manager), Lolidy Stillar, Cindy Brooks, Shannon Cloutier, Jane Henry, Elana Courvoisier, Chris Farrell, Ms. Caroline Miller (Coach). Front row: Paulianne Rennette, Susie deVries, Kelli White, Roberta Twiss, Tania Bolton, Kelly Rand, Karen Mertins
Senior: Back row from left: Jackie Peace, Manuela Stevenson, Shelley Lacombe, Laura Thoma, Sue Brogan. Front: Afolake Aiyede, Janet Spry, Sonya Wagner, Ann Yarranton, Debbie Fetterley, Doris Rother, Mrs. Joan Hale (Coach)