The 16U CAPS girls team, playing up two age categories, came away from this weekend's Ontario Volleyball Association 18 & Under Girls McGregor Cup (Zone D) with a couple of matches won, some lessons learned and a respectable fifth place finish at this 18U event.

The 16Us finished second in pool play with a record of 2-1.  After opening with a loss to the #3 seed and eventual Gold medalists Durham Attack Black (25-20, 25-12), the 16U CAPS rebounded to record their biggest win of the year, over the #2 seed Ganaraska Wolves, last month's silver medalists from the Provincial Cup in Ottawa (16-25, 25-22,19-17).  The 16U CAPS caught their breath and closed out round robin play with a victory over host Kingston Pegasus (25-13, 26-24).  In their quarter-final match against the Ottawa Kangaroos, the 16U CAPS struggled with consistency in an up and down loss (25-22, 26-24).  However, they did recover to defeat Kingston Pegasus in their final match, to end up in 5th place.

Matt Harris handled the head coaching duties on this day of double duty for the 16 and 18U teams.  He commented, "The day started slow but finished off on a positive note with a 5th place finish in an 18U tournament.  The girls showed character late in the game beating the 18U Wolves in 3 sets and Pegasus in 2.  I think the girls realize we gotta play as a team.  We have a good 2 weeks of practice ahead of us to work on this before our next tournament."

Thanks go out to Pascale's Mom, Lorraine, for helping Matt out on the sidelines for this tournament - perhaps a taste of things to come?   The 16U CAPS will return to action in the OVA 16 & Under Girls McGregor Cup in Whitby on Saturday, December 11th.

Final Standings:

1. Durham Attack Black (Oshawa)
2. National Capitals (Ottawa)
3. Durham Rebels Volleyball Club (Whitby)
4. Kangaroos (Ottawa)

5. Ganaraska Wolves (Bowmanville)

5. National Capitals 16U (Ottawa)

7. Durham Attack Red (Oshawa)

7. Pegasus Volleyball Club (Kingston)