March 25, 2006 - The stats tell
part of the story, but really just hint at the exciting volleyball
played by the CAPS 15U team at the OVA 15U Girls Bugarski Cup/Tier
2. The girls served, set, hit and blocked their way through
a 12-hour day en route to a hard-earned gold medal at the Humberwood
Community Centre in Etobicoke. The team had worked very hard
over the past weeks in practice. They were determined to show
their fans and foes alike that they deserved the opportunity to play
with Ontario's16 best 15U teams for the right to a Tier 1 Provincial
Championship.
Event: OVA 15U Girls Bugarski
Cup/Tier 2
Location: Etobicoke, ON
Date: March 25th, 2006
Goal: Qualify for Tier 1 Provincials
by placing in Top 4
Opponents: (Pool Play)
Waterloo Tigers White, Scarborough Titans ICE,
Burlington Blaze / (QF) Forest City Blue / (SF)
Burlington Blaze (encore!) / (F) Etobicoke
Titans
Results: 12-1 set record / 6-0 match
record / Gold
Each player contributed greatly to the
day's winning mosaic:
Leah Spas: Came out of the
starting gates like a thoroughbred at Woodbine Racetrack / Strong,
confident hitting stroke found the holes with regularity / Led the
CAPS to a first set victory over Waterloo Tigers White:
25-20
Kathleen Watt: A player
on-the-rise / Off the bench in the second set, showed her anticipation
and blocking skills by winning three of the last four points with two
middle kills and a block / 25-12 / CAPS win the match
Laura Edwards: Strung service
points together when the team needed them / Earned the respect of fans
and opponents alike with her laser-guided rockets from the middle and
from the outside / Put down big blocks, often / The intimidation
factor
Brittany Rockwell: Flew
through the air with the greatest of ease / Pounded cross-court and
down the line all day long / Whether from the wing or from back row,
Brittany scored, lots / CAPS over Scarborough Titans: 21-25,
25-15,15-13
Erika Leck: Consistant passing
from libero / Never-say-die attitude / Bring it on! / Took her
opportunity to brush off that deceptive and downright nasty curveball
serve / Helped CAPS squeak out a first set victory over Burlington
Blaze: 26-24
Kaleigh Potts: At your
service! / Flat lefty floaters launched from the service line gave
opponents fits and helped the CAPS to a decisive 25-10 set 2 win
against Blaze / Playing with newfound confidence / CAPS take first
place in Pool A
Isabelle Mongeon: Challenged
every block with power / Provided solid defense from libero or DS / An
eager back-row hitter in the making / Helped inspire the team to
25-16, 25-22 victory in the quarters / Sorry Forest City, "London
here we come!"
Adrianna Bortolotti:
Strong serving and aggressive, exuberant play from two-and-a-half /
Creatively contributed to confident team play / Helped put out Blaze
in the semis / We're all glad you came along for the ride
Adrianna!
Lauren Carter: Peace and
tranquility from the setting position / "I CAN dump - I
really can" / Consistent and effective service game / Patrols
the backcourt with speed, grace and style / This rally shall not die!
/ CAPS win the semis in straight sets: 25-21, 25-13
Rebecca Crosier: Poised,
almost joyful under pressure / Broke opponents' momentum throughout
the day with monster hacks and intuitive tips / Rewarded the team with
point after point through her determined domination of the
middle
Marijke Miedema: A breakout
day / Pinpoint accuracy and confident ball-deadening sets from just
about anywhere on the court / Sweetness passing from the back row /
Joust-winner all day long / CAPS win gold: 25-15, 25-23
Jorie Daymond: We all missed
the Jorinator! / Get well soon! / Nurse that growth plate back to
health in time for 16U Tier 1 Provincials on April 22nd &
23rd!
(Three weekends to come without a
tournament - what will we all do with ourselves?!?)
Many thanks to:
The Diosis for billeting:
Always a very enjoyable and entertaining stay with Richard and
Sandy.
The 14U Girls and their parents:
Proudly supported the 15Us during breaks in their very tough
schedule
Meghan O'Doherty: One very
sore but supportive assistant coach / Dispenser of the team's
"power pills"
Coach Cathy: Doled out
support, wise counsel and a general sense of calm throughout the day /
Never doubted her girls
The parents: Cheered, fed the
players, drove home at an unmentionably late (early?) hour through the
fog (and numerous cups of Timmy's best!)
Congratulations to the 15U Girls for
qualifying for both 15U and 16U Tier 1 Provincials! An
accomplishment of which you can be forever proud!
