This year saw the addition of competitive volleyball to OLB’s long list of sporting opportunities. A great deal of interest was shown across all year groups, with over 100 students from 1st – 6th Year taking part in after-school training sessions. This led to the formation of six volleyball teams, including Cadet, Junior and Beach Volleyball.

One of the school’s three Junior teams emerged victorious against Mullingar Community College and Coláiste Chiarán, Athlone to secure a place in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals. The team faced Convent of Mercy, Roscommon, Coláiste an Eachréidh, Athenry and Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee in the Semi Finals and came out victorious in all three fixtures. They travelled to University of Limerick on Monday, May 8th to face Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny in the Junior C final. The side, captained by Tanya Stephane, won their final in straight sets, showing fantastic teamwork and skill. 2nd Year, Lola Montalvo also took home the prestigious MVP Award. Congratulations to the girls on this wonderful achievement.

Not content with competing in the indoor game only, the Bower was also represented on the beach volleyball court in the East Coast Beach Volleyball Championship. Two teams travelled to Bettystown, Co. Meath on April 27th. Team 2 were unlucky not to progress to the Semi Finals, after two wins and one loss in the group stage. Team 1 stormed their way to the Semi Final, with three very convincing wins against Maryfield College, Dublin, Coláiste na hInse, Meath and Grange Community College, Dublin. In the Semi Finals, the girls came up against Coláiste Chiarán, Athlone, putting on another fantastic display to progress to the Championship Final. In the Final, the girls came up against a very strong side from Ardee Community School, Louth. It was tit-for-tat throughout. All went quiet in the final moments of the game, when Lola Montalvo served for the match. Lola held composure under match point pressure and served a perfect ace to score a 21-19 win for the Bower girls. Congratulations to all of the girls who participated in the event and thanks to the fantastic supporters whose cheering spurred the girls on to win the title. Congrats also to Ardee Community School for being fantastic competitors in a thrilling Championship Final.

It has been a wonderful maiden year for volleyball in Our Lady’s Bower and we congratulate all players and their coach, Ms Mooney.