Donald
Teuma-Castelletti
SHAWVILLE Nov. 21, 2017
High school students from across the Pontiac took to the volleyball courts last week, when the boys and girls senior teams duked it out for the top spots in the Pontiac Cup.
Taking over the Pontiac High School’s (PHS) gym, teams from École Secondaire Sieur de Coulonge (ESSC), PHS and Dr. Wilbert Keon School (DWKS) participated in the tournament on Nov. 21.
After an afternoon full of fierce competition, two teams stood victorious – the PHS senior girls and the ESSC senior boys.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better group of girls to be my teammates to bring home the cup for the third year in a row. Like family, we all worked hard together, had many laughs together and made so many memories on the court and off,” said PHS co-captain Rori Richardson, in an email.
Richardson also praised the coaching of Brenda Davis, who has guided the team through their high school experience, as well as the support of her entire school community.
“It felt amazing to win the cup in my final year of high school. This win was even more special because it was my 3rd year in a row winning the cup on the senior team,” said PHS co-captain Rebecca Nugent, in an email. “The pep rally the day before the tournament was incredible and made this volleyball season even more special.”
At the pep rally, a video from TSN’s Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole was shown, sparking much excitement throughout the entire PHS community. The sportscasting duo had created a personalized message for the students, throwing their support behind the school’s teams.
Davis highlighted the video as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the students both on and off the court, making the rally a stand out moment in her teaching career.
The video created a ripple effect throughout the school’s extended community, as it went on to be viewed almost 9,000 times and shared by both current and past students. The response video made by the PHS volleyball teams, thanking the SportsCentre personalities for their support, has been viewed over 2,000 times, as of Sunday evening.
“Students left school Monday excited about their day. They went home proud and excited to be a student at Pontiac High School and proud to be a Panther,” said Davis. “As a teacher and a coach, there is no greater feeling.”
The official standings for the senior girls tournament saw DWKS place second and ESSC place third, while the boys saw DWKS finish second and PHS in third.
“The boys played very well, however we struggled to overcome a few minor setbacks from the serving line and net,” said PHS boys coach Chad Davis. “It was a great season overall and outstanding memories were made both on and off the court.”
For those looking back on their final season at PHS, the pep rally and win for the girls team makes for an awesome addition to their high school memories.
“Everyone played really well and I could not have asked for a better team to end my high school volleyball career with,” said Nugent. “I will miss the team and coaches but will always remember this win and the people who were by my side. I will always remember that once a Panther, always a Panther.”