It seemed an all-business approach for the CAPS 18U Girls team as they set out to claim top provincial billing at the OVA 18U Girls Tier 1 Open held in Ottawa on Saturday, February 12th.  Heading into the tournament as #2 seed, the CAPS squared off against the top 12 teams in Ontario and, in the end, walked away with a briefcase of gold and top spot in the province.

The CAPS began their journey against 10th seed, Burlington Blaze.  In control from the outset, the hometown squad cruised to a straight set 25-19, 25-15 win.  Their next match began just as impressively with a 25-19 victory over 7th seed, Windsor's South County Bandits.  Perhaps looking too far ahead however, the CAPS let the Bandits steal the momentum in the second set, trailing for virtually the whole game.  But with the score 17-22 in favour of the visitors, the CAPS dug down and showed their trademark comeback grit.  Their solid passing and versatile attack returned to form as the CAPS mounted a 26-24 second set win, and match victory.

As top team in Pool B the girls earned a bye into the quarterfinals.  There they squared off against the Scarborough Titans who had just come off an emotional 3 set win against higher ranked DRVC.  The Titans had little left in the tank, and went down to the more precise offense and formidable block of the CAPS, 25-13 and 25-9.

The semi finals witnessed some serious business.  The CAPS were pitted against longtime rivals, #3 seed Durham Attack Black.  The CAPS were slightly ahead in their season long match up with Attack, 2 to1 in matches, 4 to 3 in sets.  The day's intensity picked up markedly, as the teams traded huge hits, stuffs and digs, but it was the CAPS who prevailed in the first set, 25-20.  Attack showed more resolve in the second set, leading most of the way on the strength of renewed blocking and numerous kills.  They appeared poised to take the second set, leading 21-17.  But after a critical side out, Jessica Wolfenden took up the service position, and with the aid of some big hits from Kate Eckhardt, the National Capitals peeled off 8 successive points to emerge victorious, 25-21.

At last, the CAPS were where they wanted to be, in the gold medal game with an opportunity to avenge their gold medal game loss at the hands of these same Peel Selects in the January 8th Tier 1 Challenge Cup at UofT Scarborough.  It didn't take long to see that the Selects would, once again, represent a formidable challenge, boasting incredible size, leaping ability and power.  Peel blemished the CAPS undefeated status on the day by taking the first game, 23-25.  A series of early stuffs had succeeded in making the CAPS back off on offense, resorting to a few too many unsuccessful tips and rolls.  The second set featured several huge momentum swings, as each team appeared to take control of the game at different stages.  Led by Captain Tess Edwards, the CAPS displayed great heart, team play and a finishing kick to win 25-21, sending the match to a tiebreaker.  That momentum carried through in the deciding set.  Though down at the turn, 7-8, the CAPS mounted a flurry to take the game and match with a score of 15-10.  Mission accomplished!

"The team played well throughout pool play and picked it up for the playoffs", commented Head Coach Matt Harris.  "The girls had their usual slow start but by the end of the day they had showed some of their best game all year.  Both teams played hard so we really earned that win against Peel. The girls came out after that first game loss and stepped it up with some quick defense, big blocking and smart hitting.  The biggest factor though was the girls' attitude.  They worked hard throughout the match and played with alot of heart and determination."

Top Four - OVA 18U Girls Tier 1 Open:

The 18U squad's next order of business is to make an impact in Columbus, Ohio at the East Coast Early Bird Extravaganza.  The February 19-21 event claims to feature some of the best club teams in the east, and dozens of US collegiate coaches in search of prospective student-athletes.

Thank you to capable Tournament Director Newton Noor and to all the 18U family volunteers for organizing, scorekeeping, and running a successful canteen.