Toilers Wake Up To Victory Over Vikings

They might be young and not as experienced as the Peacock Toilers senior boys volleyball team but on Tuesday evening the Vanier Vikings stepped onto the court with a bang.

The Vikings came out strong and caught the seemingly flat footed Toilers winning the first set 25 - 23.

The second set went to the Toilers 25 - 22 but it wasn’t without a time out and a stern wake-up call from the coaching staff.

The Toilers woke up going on to win the third set 25 - 15 and the final set 25 - 20.

Peacock Toilers head coach Jacques Borgeaud said “it was good to get the win” but it wasn’t a clear result.

“Vanier is always every strong and very consistent so it’s nice to get a win over them. They’re a great team. It’s nice to carry on what we did over the weekend and be able to bring it into tonight’s game,” Borgeaud said.

Said he wasn’t surprised with Vanier’s strong opening play.

“They make you play and if you’re not doing your job they are going to get on big runs.”

Halfway through the match, Borjeaud took a time out where he had a strong motivational speech with his players, asking them whether they wanted to play or not. The team had seemingly fallen asleep.

For the Toilers the speech worked as they seemed to almost immediately pick up more passion on the court.

“We weren’t focusing properly on the game and what was in front of us. We were being to casual and we needed a reminder why we are here.”

In the second set Vanier made up an 11 point deficit and it took the pep talk to motivate the Toilers to eke out a 25 - 22 victory.

“It’s important our guys maintain focus and they’re able to push and extend leads and not relax too much. But like I say Vanier makes you play and they put you in tough spots. They do earn those points and put the pressure on at the end. I’m glad we pulled through.”

“Peacock wore us down after we jumped to an early one set win. Just took us to it for the rest of the night and we just weren’t able to respond,” Vikings head coach Levi Broda said.

Coming out quickly and grabbing the first set, followed by trailing off later on in the match was just an indication of the youth that the Vanier team is.

“It’s just the signs of a younger team and finding consistency. And I think that’s what we are working towards - good service and good passes,” Broda said.

The Vikings’ game plan hasn’t changed since the last time they met.

“It was the same game plan as last time. We prepared for a five set battle unfortunately, tonight we’re on the wrong side of a four setter.”

The Vikings took advantage of juggling their lineup. It paid off when they bolted against the Toilers when they were trailing.

“We were kind of mixing and matching the lineup and just to see if we get some energy into it and some of the guys really stepped up there.”