April 9, 2005 -  The CAPS 18U Girls team 'capped' off the club's inaugural season of 18U in-province play over the weekend by capturing the Ontario Volleyball Association 18 & Under Girls Tier 1  Ontario Championship at Brock University in St. Catharines.  The CAPS played supremely confident volleyball, staring down the opposition over two days of competition and ending the tournament with a dominating 15-0 set record to claim the crown of the best girls club volleyball team in the province!

Round Robin play on Saturday saw the CAPS face off against three teams that were 'pumped' to play their best volleyball of the year in an attempt to knock off our #1 seeded girls.  The CAPS' pool play was business-like, unspectacular but consistent enough to get the team through to a first place finish in Pool A and as strong a position as possible for the playoff round.  The girls went undefeated but not unchallenged.  Pool A featured teams that played strong positional ball and fought hard for every point.  South County was strong enough to have eventually battled their way through to the semi-finals, and Burlington took the eventual silver medalists to three games in the quarters.  Scores for pool play were as follows:

After a break for the handing out of OVA Awards, the CAPS were required to play a Round of 16 playdown against the fourth place finisher from Pool C, Ganaraska Wolves (Orono, #14 seed).  You'd like to think that a battle might have raged between these eastern rivals, but the Wolves were unlucky enough to find themselves in the path of an oncoming freight train.  The match was never close, with the crew from Orono going down to defeat in straight sets, 25-13, 25-11.

After a good night of food and sleep the CAPS warmed up for Day Two quarter-final action against Georgian Bay Vista (#13 seed).  Vista was still flying high after their big victory the day before against DRVC, but despite their great work ethic, Vista had no answer for the Capitals' savvy, multi-faceted game.  CAPS won in two by scores of 25-9 and 25-16.

In the semis the CAPS found themselves in a rematch against the feisty South County Bandits.  This well-prepared team had knocked off Waterloo Tigers in the quarters and were pumped to get another stab at slaying the giant.  They played with spirit but were unable to defend against the CAPS' balanced hitting, consistent blocking, strong passing and timely use of the tip and roll.  Bandits went down to defeat in straight sets, 25-18, 25-15.

I suppose none of the fans of either of the finalists were surprised that it would all come down to a showdown between two teams which had been battling for OVA supremacy all season long.  Our CAPS would wage war once again with the big, strong and polished Peel Selects from Brampton (#2 seed) for the 2004-2005 Ontario Provincial Championship.  If you were watching Peel's warmup you might be forgiven for thinking that the Capitals were in for an aerial barrage that would likely demolish their 'slighter' line of defence.  But one look at the CAPS end of the court and you could see that the girls were beginning to enter that 'zone' of supreme confidence which has taken them so far for so long.  The CAPS were loose and ready for a potential best-of-five battle against a team with which they had traded gold medal games all season long.

This match featured some the best championship action that we had seen in Ontario in a long time.  Selects brought a ferocious attack game from both wings, led by consistent and intelligent play from the setting position.  When our girls were able to get through the massive Peel block, there was usually an energetic defensive specialist waiting to make a great pickup.  But the CAPS never let any one Selects kill or dig distract them from their determination to take this match.  Whether it was the floor leadership of Tess, the domination by Jess and Kate in the middle, consistent scoring by Becky and Megs from power or the big play by Ashley and Katee when called upon, the Capitals were always creating and thinking of new ways to beat the big team from Brampton.  Each set played out in similar fashion, with both teams answering each other, never letting the other get too far ahead, trading the lead until 20, when the game-hardened experience of the CAPS would give them the edge to push forward and deal the death blow.  Set 1 was close, with the CAPS persevering and taking the wind out of the Select sails with a dramatic 26-24 victory.  Sets 2 and 3 were very similar - fast-paced, entertaining volleyball featuring the Selects' big power game from the corners against the Capitals balanced attack from all 6 positions.  The Peel team put up a brave fight, but the Capitals would not be taking any prisoners on this golden day.  The Capitals went on to an impressive 26-24, 25-21, 25-22 straight sets victory to take the match and the first Provincial Championship for the new National Capitals Volleyball Club!  A fantastic performance that will not soon be forgotten by anyone who was lucky enough to see it!

Coach Cathy O'Doherty was ecstatic for her girls.  "These girls are, without doubt, a "dream team" - and they've been an absolute dream to coach!  I am so proud of this outstanding group of girls and, more importantly, I'm very happy for them.  These players have all worked extremely hard and dedicated hours and hours to achieve this gold medal.  So girls - you've earned it, you deserve it and now enjoy the title - 2005 Ontario Provincial Champions!"

Much thanks go out to the organizing committee and to the Brock Badgers for hosting an extremely well-run tournament in the best facilities that we have ever seen for an OVA event.  Thanks also to Cathy, Matt and Newton for their incredible efforts in preparing these girls for victory, and to all the parents, siblings and friends who patiently waited to cheer their girls on over these two days of play.  Last but not least, we thank all the players - those on the court and those cheering from the bench - for working so hard to realize their dreams and for allowing us to keep them company for the ride.  It was a hard-fought, well-earned, and deserving victory for our 18U Girls.

One down, one to go.  The 18U CAPS will represent Ontario at their final tournament from May 6th to May 8th at the Volleyball Canada 18 & Under Canadian Open in Moncton, New Brunswick.

Top Four, OVA 18 & Under Girls Tier 1  Ontario Championship:

1. National Capitals

2. Peel Selects (Brampton)

3. Toronto Royals

4. South County Bandits (Windsor)