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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, November 15, 2013 | 28 STA wins junior title in senior style by Jon Kuiperij Beaver Sports Editor There was no senior boys' volleyball team this fall at St. Thomas Aquinas, but the high school's junior squad certainly could have passed as one. Utilizing a high-flying, hard-hitting attack more commonly seen at the older level, the junior Raiders easily defeated the Lester B. Pearson Patriots 25-14, 25-14 Tuesday at Sheridan College to capture the Tier 2 Halton title and finish the season undefeated in regional play. Aquinas was led by the powerful kills of Thomas Da Silva and Jordan Figueira, players who consistently end rallies quickly and effectively but in different ways. "(Thomas) is really tall and he knows how to place the ball," Figueira said of the 6-foot-3 Da Silva, a Grade 9 student. "Jordan gets so high above the net," Da Silva countered, raving about the jumping abilities of his 5-foot-11 teammate. "He has so many angles to work with." It seemed no coincidence that Tuesday's final ended with Da Silva serving six consecutive winning points for the Raiders and Figueira delivering the title-clinching kill. Raiders coach Liz Canastro said her two star players also helped their teammates develop throughout the season. "Jordan usually plays the setting position on his St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders players Thomas Da Silva (centre) and Michael Franko go up to block a hit by Lester B. Pearson's Parker Zuchkan Tuesday at Sheridan College. Aquinas defeated the Patriots 25-14, 25-14 to win the Halton high school junior boys' volleyball Tier 2 title. | photo by Nikki Wesley -- Oakville Beaver -- @Halton_Photog rep teams, but it was beneficial to have him in a hitting position because it gave him an opportunity to be a leader on the court. It was the same with Thomas," Canastro said. "Having them know where the ball needs to go, it was great to see them teach teammates who might not have as much volleyball experience." Tuesday's victory marked the second straight season Aquinas won the junior Tier 2 championship. The Raiders also won the senior Tier 2 title last season, but Canastro said a lack of student interest prevented Aquinas from featuring a senior team this year. "In the end, we didn't have enough players to make a team and run with it," said Canastro, in her first year at Aquinas. "However, from the results and teamwork we've had this year (in junior), it's pretty obvious we'll have a few very good years with lots of commitment from the boys." -- Jon Kuiperij can be followed on Twitter @Beaversports E X P E R T A D V I C E November 15 -17 Careport Centre, Hamilton (corner of Aberdeen & Longwood) Fri: 12pm-8pm, Sat: 10am-5pm Sun: 10am-5pm Shopping EntertainingTips HolidayDécor VisitwithSanta `Tis the season for giving! We are collecting mittens and hats at the door for donation to a local charity. Hat & Mitten Donation Admission $5 · 289-337- 8002 · thechristmasshow.ca A DIVISION OF ROTARY CLUB OF STONEY CREEK TheChristmasShow Christmas_Show National Lacrosse League star Garrett Billings gives some pointers to four-year-old Joshua Burstow Saturday at Toronto Rock Athletic Centre. Billings represented the Toronto Rock at a free lacrosse clinic the team co-hosted with the Town of Oakville, offering instruction for players ages 5-13 and also providing a guided tour of the practice facility on Invicta Drive. | photo by Graham Paine -- Oakville Beaver -- @Halton_Photog