May 4-6, 2007 - Aren't most teams
supposed to peak at the end of their season? The National
Capitals 18U Girls certainly did not disappoint anyone in this regard
during the Volleyball Canada 18U Canadian Open in Abbotsford,
BC. For almost all the players on
this talented team, this national championship would be their last
chance to play for their beloved club.
Thirty-two skilled volleyball teams were
registered from various Canadian cities, including: Yellowknife (NT),
Vancouver (BC), Fort McMurray (AB), Winnipeg (MB), Ashburn (ON),
St-Léonard (QC), Moncton (NB) and Halifax (NS). Day One
competition consisted of round robin play, requiring teams to finish
in the top two in order to advance to Power Pools on Day Two, and
quarter finals on Day Three. VC placed our girls in one of the
tournament's toughest pools: FVVC Blitz (BC), Bison Gold (Hudson,
MB) and Rustlers (SK).
Our 18U women met the BC Blitz for
our first game and were defeated quickly by scores of 14-25 and
17-25. This was a tough match with which to begin play, but the
girls and coaches forged ahead to defeat the Rustlers
(Lloydminster, SK) soundly in two games: 25-13 and 25-10. All
were aware that in order to advance to the Power Pool they would need
to defeat the strongly-favoured past champions: Bison Gold
(Hudson, MB). A strong family support cheered on the girls who
played with skill, heart and determination and successfully defeated
the Bisons by scores of 27-25 and 25-18. What an accomplishment, and a
confidence booster for players, coaches and nervous family
alike!
Day Two of the competition would team up
the CAPS with teams from Manitoba (JVVC), Alberta (Queens) and Ontario
(DRVC 18U). The girls would continue their strong play to
defeat JVVC (25-18, 26-24), then succumb to Queen's
(25-18, 17-25, 9-15), and finally, to exact some swift revenge against
Ontario Champions DRVC (25-10, 25-15) to advance to the
quarter-final round on the last day of the tournament. The CAPS
had finished first in their pool on Day Two of the tournament!
Excellent play by our girls over two days of competition with only two
matches lost was a true testament to this team's ability.
Of course, we had some celebrating to do
with the coming of age of Chantelle (18 yrs) and another win by the
Sens on Saturday night! On Sunday morning the mood during the
team meeting was somber, excited, nervous, determined and convicted;
what would happen would happen.
The quarter-final game on Sunday morning
would pair the CAPS against another strong Ontario team: Durham
Attack Black. Both teams fought valiantly, splitting games 1
and 2, with the CAPS going down to defeat 15-10 in the third and,
sadly, exiting the competition.
Tears of happiness for all that they
accomplished- 5th in Canada - as well as tears of sadness at
the end of many years of play together, had the girls huddled together
for a final bonding moment. The remainder of the day was spent
watching and cheering on their fellow Ontarians in the hope that one
of our teams might advance to the medal rounds.
Despite heavy hearts, we all had two more
days of vacation left! Some of the girls headed off to Whistler
to enjoy the hospitality of friends, some took in some late season
glacier skiing and the rest headed to Vancouver to enjoy the
hospitality of Pat Lamont (Sue Baerg's sister) and some crazy
shopping.
Thank you ladies for a wonderful season and
for an amazing finish to the year. Thanks to all who helped
contribute to each and every practice, FUNdamentals Camp, coaching
clinic, team and club fundraiser, tournament and, of course, to the
daily operations of the National Capitals Volleyball Club. And
thanks, of course, to Cathy and Matt for all the amazing memories you
have helped create for all our girls over all these
years.
Good luck in all your endeavours girls.
We will be keeping a watchful eye on women's volleyball in the years
to come, and we may just see one or two of you on our
travels.
Sincerely,
Karen Mostert
Team Manager/18U Girls
Final Standings/VC 18U Girls Canadian
Open:
Gold: FVVC Blitz (Langley,
BC)
Silver: Queens Extreme (Red Deer,
AB)
Bronze: Durham Attack Black (Oshawa,
ON)
4. BCO Elite (North Vancouver,
BC)
5. National Capitals (Ottawa,
ON)
5. Big Sand (Winnipeg,
MB)
5. Club West Rage (Virden,
MB)
5. Dinos (Calgary, AB)
