Avaya Maga Shines in Final Game for Bishop Tonnos

Avaya Maga Shines in Final Game for Bishop Tonnos
Posted on 01/11/2025
Aerial shot of BT's team

By Larry Moko

Goodbye, Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School. Hello, University of Oklahoma.
Setter Avaya Maga of the Tonnos Titans played the final game of her Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic high school volleyball career Thursday -- a 2-0 victory over the visiting Bishop Ryan Celtics.

While the first-place Titans are only mid way through their 2024-25 schedule, 17-year-old Maga flies to Norman, Okla., on the weekend to settle in to her dorm and begin an NCAA Division I volleyball scholarship with the Oklahoma Sooners.

When asked how it felt to be moving on, Maga said: "There was a little bit of sadness because it's a journey that has come to an end. But I'm happy with the way that it was for the past four years. And I'm really excited for what's to come."

Tonnos has been to three consecutive city championship games, winning the last two. In addition, the Titans went all the way to capture provincial gold and silver medals at the AAA level.

"The highlight was winning OFSAA in my Grade 10 year," Maga said. "We were underdogs. It was unexpected. Coming out on top was super."

Maga was honoured on the court along with four of her teammates Thursday during a pre-game Senior Recognition Night ceremony.

"I think it's always sentimental and a bit emotional when it's the last time you're wearing the Titan jersey," said Maga's mother Alvisia, who also serves as the team's head coach.

"You remember back to when you were in Grade 9. Avaya knows she's off to bigger and better things. It wasn't like she was going to leave volleyball."

Tonnos defeated the second-place Celtics, 25-6, 25-16, for its 10th victory in 10 starts. BR's record slipped to 7-2.

"In the first set coach Denis (Cerovac) and I agreed that it was the cleanest volleyball we've played," coach Maga said. "When we're firing on all cylinders we're a tough team to beat."

Outside hitters Alyssa Cerovac and Estelle Buist were the other main point-getters for Tonnos. Maga's assists and clever shot-making decisions at the net were also key.

"We serve really tough," Maga said. "It keeps us in most games. We have good hitters on all the pins (outside) and our middle still has to be respected."

Tonnos also downed the Celtics, 2-0, in an earlier meeting this season. Set scores were 25-20, 25-16.

"Tonnos did a good job of putting constant pressure on us," Celtics coach Rich Minken said of the rematch. "Unfortunately, we got into a rotation we were unable to get out of. A team like that makes you pay for mistakes."

Minken said the Celtics had been working together well as a team during their seven victories.
"Our captains do a great job of getting everyone ready for games and getting them involved in the games," the BR coach said. "They stay positive and push the team to be better."

Coach Maga said even without her daughter, Tonnos still has enough talent to win a third-straight city championship.

"Without Avaya in the lineup I think people would normally say 'oh, without her, it's such a huge loss.' Which it is. But we still have three rep setters that are ready to step into that role.
"Our big strength, though, is our pin hitters. I didn't see too many people that were able to stop them."

Elsewhere, the St. Thomas More Knights defeated the St. Mary Crusaders, 2-0, to move into a second-place tie with Bishop Ryan. The other game saw the St. Jean de Brébeuf Braves top the Cathedral Gaels, 2-0.

Photo Credit: Bob Butrym

More photos on the HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page here

BT vs BR Avaya Maga's last gameBT celebrating Avaya's last game with flowersBR players defending at the net BT vs BRAerial shot of BT team in huddleBT vs BR