CDS Sr. Boys Volleyball – A Team to Remember
Sixteen years is a long time, especially long if you are a fan of our Sr. Boys Volleyball team who just won CISAA DIV 2 Gold for the first time since 2009. The championship was worth the wait as Coach Collins' team delivered more than a perfect record; they also delivered effort, attitude and ‘teamness’.
At the beginning of the season, Coach Collins could tell this team was different, not only in its talent level but in its character. “Talent can only take you so far,” he says. “The ultimate team is created upon character. From winning no games in Grade 9, they were resilient in their learning, patience and dedication to winning. In their final year, these true students of the game voluntarily watched game tape of rivals before our final tournament.”
On the court, the team was led by the incredible trio of the libero Carter Saley ’26, and outside hitters Cooper Smith ’26 and Alex Wang ’26, whose performance set a high bar for the rest of the squad.
The team started the season flying with notable wins over Lauremont School, De La Salle College and The York School. The success continued throughout the regular season, and the team was unbeatable with a record of 8-0 going into a seeding game against Holy Trinity School. An immensely close 5th set saw CDS capture the 1st seed, meaning they would host the semi-finals and finals the following week.
CDS saw off Lakefield College in the semi-final, setting up an incredible finale vs Crestwood. CDS looked to be in control after taking a 2-0 set lead, but let CPC back into it, setting up another crucial 5th and deciding set.
According to Coach Collins, his “most memorable moment was in the gold medal match. We were struggling to shut down their middle hitters. Carter came to me and asked to be put in the middle, ‘I can block them,’ he told me, despite never playing that position.” This moment helped turn the momentum of the final back in CDS’s favour, as the team held a narrow lead throughout to win 16-14.
At Monday’s Athletic Assembly, Mr. Collins shared how winning his first CISAA Sr. Boys Volleyball Championship and the program's first in 16 years felt. “I credit the camaraderie the team built both on and off the court. It became our competitive edge. We found success because our players supported each other through adversity – they had the right mentality.”
What is this ‘teamness’ that the coach describes? “Yes. It is a real word, researchers use it to measure how well groups function with shared goals, trust and interdependence. It’s even been submitted to the Collins Dictionary… mine and the real one!”
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
