After capturing the 2023 Bay of Quinte Jr. Boys Volleyball title earlier this month, you couldn’t fault the PECI Panthers if they were crestfallen at finally bowing out in the Central Ontario Secondary School Association Championship game Thursday.

Hayden Blakely is set up for a spike at the COSSA tournament Thursday. (Submitted Photo)

The Quinte Christian Eagles exacted a measure of revenge on the Cats at COSSA hosted by Haliburton Highlands Secondary School, avenging the plucky Panthers and their B of Q loss at the Eagles’ nest Nov. 8.

Quinte Christian bested PECI 3-1 with the Panthers winning the opening set 27-25 and then dropping three sets to finish as COSSA silver medalists.

Midnight finally struck for the collection of hard working and focussed PECI students who brought their school its first Jr. Boys volleyball title in nearly a quarter century.  Certainly nothing to be ashamed of and, if you had told the team when the season started there was a chance they would be playing for a regional gold medal, they assuredly would have asked “Where do we sign?”

“Overall, I think everyone is satisfied with this season,” PECI team Captain Grady Holmes said. “It’s obviously not the result we wanted but we are still the second best team in Central Ontario. We came really far and I’m very proud of every player on this team.”

By virtue of having the one seed entering Thursday’s action, PECI would open the four team COSSA A tournament drawing the Kenner Collegiate Rams. After losing the opening set, the Panthers came prowling back with three straight set wins to punch their ticket to the final.

In the other semi final, Quinte Christian didn’t have an easy path as they needed four sets to take down the host Haliburton Highlands Cardinals.

With no All Ontario tournament for the junior ranks, Thursday’s result marked the end of the volleyball season but the young Panthers already have designs on making their mark next season.

“I think every Grade 10 player is hungry for a championship next year. The senior division will be a step up for us but I think we are up to the challenge,” Mr. Holmes said. “We have to get used to the taller nets and more powerful hits from opposing teams. But I think everyone will be amped up for 2024.”