February 24th, 2007 -
OVA 17U Girls Bugarski Cup/Tier 1
(with apologies to all poets living or dead and to anyone who
has ever read poetry)
We're on the road to St. Catharines,
With a trip through Squint City,
The setting sun's burning retinas,
It's a sight not too pretty.
We're creeping and we're crawling
On the crowded four-oh-one,
Where driving through Toronto
Is a rush hour for-no-one.
Into Niagara to the Embassy Suites,
Waiting outside for 'Moulin’ to complete.
Check-in, move up to the twenty-sixth floor,
Gazing, amazed, at the Falls frozen o'er.
Too smoky for Dads, change rooms for to breathe,
Otherwise cranky Brian would seethe.
Tony and company rolled in near eleven,
To bed, see who snores, up again close to seven.
To the restaurants for fuel; packed and ready to roll,
Determined to medal, that was our goal.
As the team drove off to the University of Brock,
Brian's car couldn't be found (a long way to walk!)
All together at last, in sunny Court One,
We were primed and ready to win and have fun.
First match against top-seeded DRVC,
First point a great tandem, a beauty to see.
The CAPS took the lead and looked ready to run,
But the girls played conservatively and DRVC won.
No place for shame, losing twenty-two, twenty-five,
Regroup, strategize; for a victory we'll strive.
Second set similar, the girls led and looked keen,
Similar ending, losing twenty-five - eighteen.
Disappointed but realizing they can play with the best,
Bring on Peel Selects for the next v-ball test.
Coach Matt decided to stir up the mix,
And whatever he did, the mix did the tricks.
Twenty-five, twenty-one, who's that at power!?
Twenty-five, twenty-two, the match was all ours.
Second in pool play, we are playing the Titans.
With confidence rising and moods all 'round lightened,
The girls came out blazing, it's over, Amen,
Twenty-five, fourteen; twenty-five, ten.
Next up, Forest City, a group of sixteens,
It'll be a tough match, no victory routine.
First game, we are down but definitely not out,
But slipping and ultimately losing this bout.
Game two: 25 straight will get Gina a car,
A CAPS win at fourteen sees a team full of stars.
The decider was tense as the girls battled back,
Ending in victory with a smart smack attack.
On to the semis versus Scarborough Vipers,
Just do your best, girls, no time for gripers.
And the best they sure did, winning at twenty!
With varied attacks and tipping a'plenty.
Second game tight, far too much scrappy play,
Twenty-three, twenty-five. To the third, no delay.
Can the CAPS pull it off? Is Gold just a dream?
And - darn it! So close, losing seventeen-fifteen.
So now we will try for a medal of bronze,
The girls are fatigued but no time for yawns.
Guess who we're playing? Our perennial foe -
It's DRVC again; get on with the show.
The CAPS came out strong, winning the first at twenty-one,
But is there gas in the tank? Can they get they job done?
It's a nail-biting game, a real classic thriller.
With iced water in our veins, and the attack of a killer.
They dug and they tipped, they swung with aplomb.
Sweet victory at last! We're bringing medals on home!
We thank all the parents and Matt, fearless boss,
And from me, no more verse for I'm no Robert Frost.
