A perfect service game in volleyball is similar to a sighting of Haley's Comet, but Duchess Park's Natalie MacLaren shone bright for the Condors this season when she delivered one.
"When I hit about 15-0, I was a little like, 'OK, when is this going to stop,'" said MacLaren. "Then when it kept on creeping up more and more, I was like, 'Oh my god.'
"I've never even seen it before in my life," she added about the 25-0 game she served up at the Mizuno UBC Invitational September 23 and 24.
The DPSS Condors had already won the first set over an Alberta squad when MacLaren stepped to the service line to open the second set. Much to the delight of the second-year senior girls player, the Condors' opponents had a tough time returning the ball.
"For the few that did come over [my teammates] were just slamming it back down," said MacLaren. "For the most part they were getting a little bored."
The 17 year old said after the final ball dropped to the floor, she and her teammates "just freaked out."
The Condors finished 33rd in the 50-team tournament.
Richard Mintenko, the Condors' senior girls volleyball coach, said after playing volleyball for about 30 years and coaching for about 15, he was in awe on the bench watching MacLaren serve.
"It was very emotional," said Mintenko. "I'm not an emotional character, I just found it amazing.
"There was another girl - Kate Quelch's sister [Jenna] - who had the record at Duchess at 16 serves in a row and once it hit that level - she was actually sitting on the bench - I went up to her and said, 'I think your record is in jeopardy here,'" he said.
"As it went on I was just flabbergasted," added Mintenko. "My emotions went through the roof and I said Natalie that has got to be the most awesome thing I've ever seen in my life. It doesn't happen in this game very often. The chances are similar to winning the lottery."
It may be a rare volleyball feat, but Mintenko said the fact it was MacLaren who accomplished it wasn't surprising.
"She worked hard with her serve and has a great [dedication] to the game and she enjoys it," said Mintenko. "We may see it again and it'll probably be Natalie to do it. She has that discipline and focus and competitiveness to win - come heck or high water she's going to try her best."
Mintenko rewarded his ace server with a $100 and the Condors' team with two pizzas that night - normally whenever the girls limit an opponent to 10 points or less he'll get them a pizza.
"You give rewards out for good performances," said Mintenko.
MacLaren said the experience helped the Condors' grow as a team this season.
"I think we just realized how important the serve is," she said.
