June 15, 2007 - One of my most pleasurable jobs as Provincial Team coach is to travel to Toronto for the OVA Provincial Team Open Tryout.  I love the chance to see and meet so many girls from across Ontario.  This year the tryout was held at U. of T. Scarborough on Saturday, May 26th.  The Open Tryout is for any 17U and 18U player who did not receive one of the 20 direct invitations to the OVA 18U High Performance Center.  Four CAPS did not  make the drive down the 416 and 401 - Katee Luecke, Stephanie McGuinty and Jessica Zéroual all played for Team Ontario last summer and were granted direct access to the HPC in St. Catharines in July.  Past and future CAP, Sofia Sturova, was not able to attend due to a nagging foot injury.  Her stellar performance at Ontario Summer Games last August earned her a well-deserved invitation as well.

 

Seven CAPS players made the trip to Toronto and spent an exhausting and nerve-racking day in the gym - exhausting because it was 6 hours of drills and nerve-racking because there were 45 players vying for only about 25 spots.  The coaches (that would be me) put the girls through a variety of drills, looking at individual and team skills.  In that respect, the CAPS may have had a little advantage, as I'm sure some of the drills looked familiar!  Scrimmaging was stressful though - the coaches evaluated ball control, communication and attitude.  By the end of the day, many players were worn out and worn down - the intensity of a tryout can be overwhelming for some.

 

Did I mention I enjoy this day?  Well, having 7 confident and talented CAPS on the court made the day extra special for me.  Middles Sarah Joy, Kalyn Mostert and Gaby Vallée showed off their dominating blocking and super-quick quicks.  Erin O'Doherty and Emily Kyte passed "dimes" and fixed hits all day long to prove themselves the top outside hitters.  Both Sarah Fetterly and Becky Billings were outstanding as they controlled the back court in the libero position.  Without exception, the CAPS demonstrated superior sportsmanship, attitude and skill.  I really felt like a "proud Mom", as the coaches listed the CAPS players over and over again as earning the right to go to the HPC.

 

So... out of 45 invitees, 11 players are from the National Capitals!  This is a truly remarkable accomplishment and one about which all parents, coaches and players in the club should be proud.

 

The High Performance Center is being held at Brock University in St. Catharines from July 3rd to 8th.  Two teams will be selected and they will then go on to train throughout July.  The NTCCs (National Team Challenge Cup), where the provinces compete against one another, will be held at Fanshaw College in London from July 26th to 30th.

 

A big "good luck" to all eleven CAPS players as they head to St. Catharines in July.  I am very excited and really looking forward to a great week with all of you!