Despite losing time to the extended Christmas layoff, the Muskies court sports teams are having a good winter season. Four teams, senior and junior boys basketball, and senior and junior girls volleyball are all enjoying good seasons. The Times contacted each coach to ask them how they feel their respective seasons are going as they near the final stretch of games. Answers have been edited for clarity and team records may have changed since answers were sent in.
Junior girls volleyball
Coach Terry McMahon
FF Times: What is your team’s record so far this season?
Coach McMahon: Our record is 6 wins 1 loss.
FF Times: How have you seen your team improve and grow since the start of the season?
Coach McMahon: I’m really pleased with the team’s improvement. Not only with our physical skills but our understanding of the game. They are really starting to pick up on things. It’s fun to watch.
FF Times: Have there been any players whose performance has stood out?
Coach McMahon: Karsyn Mcquaker is our libero and her passing has come so far, she is really starting to lead our defence. As we learn, our offence is starting to pick up. Caleigh Councilor, Payton Dolyny, Jayna Walter are doing really well on our outside. Serena Cousineau is settling in as our setter, leading our offence. Everyone is doing really well and working extremely hard.
FF Times: How has your team bounced back after the extended break when the COVID shutdown hit?
Coach McMahon: I think on the court it was a small step back, we had an edge going into the break and I feel like we have been trying to find it again. But we did what we could. I gave them weekly homework, matches and videos to watch, we had team Zoom meetings, so we used it as an opportunity to learn a bit more about the game and tried to use the time wisely.
FF Times: Any thoughts on the final stretch of the season?
Coach McMahon: I’m excited for the final stretch and looking forward to watching the team continue to progress and use what they learn on the court!
Senior Girls Volleyball
Head Coach Duane Roen
Assistant Coach Alex Adrian
FF Times: What is your team’s record?
Coach Roen: In league play we are 2-1 (wins over Beaver Brae and Sioux Lookout; loss to Dryden (won the first set, lost the final two).
FF Times: How have you seen your team improve and grow since the start of the season?
Coach Roen: It has been a steep learning curve for our team. Many have seen very little, if any, organized volleyball in the past two years. Going from limited time as a junior to a starting senior role was overwhelming for some at the start of the season. Combine that with COVID and COVID precautions, it has been difficult to secure positive progress early on. However, since returning from the most recent shutdown we have seen steady improvement in game awareness. Skill development is ongoing and the players are now cognizant of the difference between just playing volleyball and understanding and fulfilling their competitive role on a senior high school volleyball team.
FF Times: Have there been any players whose performance has stood out?
Coach Roen: The team has come a long way in a small number of practices and games. As their confidence rises so does their performance. Our starting setter, Brooke Marchuk, has dramatically improved in her role and is leading the offence. Emma Bone and Georgia Oltsher are steadily improving as alternate setters and right-side hitters. Savannah McGinnis has led the way on the left-side but Nina Morris and Camille Tucker are not far behind, improving every set. Being able to run our middle offence regularly has been a challenge so far but we are working at ways to improve this, giving Paige Happy and Emma Yerxa a stronger offensive role. Monika Ruppenstein and Tatum Ronmark, our defensive specialists/liberos, with their hard serves and fast feet are improving daily.
FF Times: How has your team bounced back after the extended break when the COVID shut down hit?
Coach Roen: Because of COVID and COVID precautions it has been nearly impossible to have the entire team at every practice which has made it a struggle to move forward when we are constantly repeating sequences to get everyone on the same page.
FF Times: Any thoughts on the final stretch of the season?
Coach Roen: Our plan for the final stretch is to determine the best strategy to use to get us to and through the playoffs. We will use our final exhibition game against Rainy River to try various combinations and strategies in preparation for our league games.
Senior Boys Basketball
Coach Brad Oster
FF Times: What is your team’s record?
Coach Oster: 2-2
FF Times: How have you seen your team improve and grow since the start of the season?
Coach Oster: Our team has really embraced the team concept and now realizes that to be successful it’s not about what is on the game sheet. It’s about being a team and not individuals. We started 0-2 and have won two straight.
FF Times: Have there been any players whose performance has stood out?
Coach Oster: All of our players are working hard. Our captains Morgan Perrault and Brayden Christiansen have really set a high bar for effort and attitude.
FF Times: How has your team bounced back after the extended break when the COVID shut down hit?
Coach Oster: COVID-19 ran through much of our team after the extended break. We really struggled to put enough guys together to hold practices. We seem fairly healthy at this point so hopefully, that continues.
FF Times: Any thoughts on the final stretch of the season?
Coach Oster: Our goal is to keep getting better. Our defense will continue to be our focus. Basketball teams win with defense. With continued effort and positive attitudes, we should continue to see our team improve.
As of our deadline on Tuesday we have not received a response from the Junior boys basketball coach.
