The succession planning in the best of the Rainbow Board Elementary Volleyball programs is impressive.

While the CR Judd Jaguars boys repeated as "A" champs and the Lasalle Lancers girls ascended to the top this year, it became apparent that much of the legwork for that came courtesy of a year spent on their school "B" team last winter.

Dakota Del Papa, E.J. Pomerleau and Isaac Edmonds were members of the Jaguars gold medal winning team one year ago, though the welcomed aboard a nice core of teammates who made the jump from "B" to 'A" this year as Judd downed the Northeastern Cougars 23-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-20.

"Thank god we have a good coach," noted Del Papa, back under the watchful eye of the Capreol legend that is Craig Thomson again this year. "He's the best coach out there."

Dropping a very good opening set, Judd recalibrated nicely in taking the final three sets with a little cushion to spare. "We knew that we're a good team," said Del Papa. "If we stayed calm, we had an easier chance to win. If we didn't, we would panic and make mistakes."

Technically speaking, Del Papa noted that his team solidified their passing game as the match wore on, allowing the Jaguars to run a highly impressive attack. "You just have to get into the crouch position and look where the ball is going," he said.

"If it's to my right, then tilt the arms and my body - but don't swing the arms. And keep it straight."

Joining the returning trio this year with the championship winning team were Ryder Pomerleau, Tyson Forbes, Ayvin Smith, Caden Pickard, Riley Castilloux and Parker Lafleche.

On the girls side, Lasalle earned silver one year ago, beaten by Judd in the "A" final. Though it may have taken five sets this time around, the Lancers got the job done, outlasting Northeastern 13-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-19, 15-1.

"On the "A" team this year, we have most of the girls who were together on the "B" team last year - plus a few new players - and a few are back," noted middle blocker Payton Smalley, one of those who moved up one level this winter as she prepares for high-school volleyball next fall.

"We all practice together and we often scrimmage against each other," Smalley added, making her debut this year as well with the Northern Chill Volleyball Club. "Everyone is pretty much the same level."

While that might be true, it is the fact that there is a continual progression in the play of so many of these talented teens that gives rise to just that much more self-belief that what they want to accomplish can be executed as planned.

"Last year, I had a lot of lack of communication," said Smalley. "This year, I am communicating more - and my hits are way better. I step into it now."

Taken a step further, the talkative grade 8 talent noted some very specific areas where communication is key on the volleyball court.

"While you are on serve receive, you can call left seam or right seam," Smalley said. "Once the ball is over, it's "mine, got it, me" as an example. And hitters can call for a set too."

Rounding out the Lasalle roster are Julia Forigo, Charley Breeze, Lydia Berue-Campbell, Breeze Osawamick, Meryl Bazzard, Kristen Kutchaw, Alayna Marier-Mikus and head coach Mike Rybiak.

Northeastern Boys - Silver - Otto Triff, Karsib Rothney-Armstrong, Karson Dempster, Liam Gillis, Caleb Zakamarko, Reid Zakamarko, Damon Curzon, Cameron Saikkonen, Justice Kameka, Brody Toering, Bentley Hasner - coach Dale Beausoleil

Northeastern Girls - Silver - Madison Connors, Dani Billard, Elizabeth Gladu, Ellie Haikela, Mya Thornton, Faith Baillargeon, Khushi Dhingra, Macy Nootchtai - coaches Paige Ballantyne and Bobby Batchelor

Bronze medals on the boys side were doled out to R.H. Murray Public School, 20-25, 25-19-15-10 winners over Lasalle, while MacLeod Public claimed third place on the girls side, sweeping past Lo-Ellen 25-13, 25-19.