London calling... 15U-Navy hits the road(PHOTOS) By John Ruttle, with photos by The Haveys
November 15, 2008 — The CAPS 15U-Navy team travelled to London for the Forest City Invitational - their first chance to take on the province’s top teams, and another opportunity to learn how to work better as a group. Their three opponents, Durham Attack, Aurora Storm and Forest City, all placed at the top of Tier 1 last season. Coach Matt told the players to be prepared for tough comptition. It turned out, the CAPS performed better than expected, and learned a great deal in the process.
The first match against Durham Attack proved the CAPS’ two months of preparation will make them a very competitive team in the coming tournaments. The girls lost the first game in a nail-biter (23-25). They played strongly in the second too, but fell just abit short (20-25). Coach Matt said that against teams like these, Navy “needs to be more aggressive.” CAPS offered up too many free balls.
The second match against Aurora Storm was much tougher. The CAPS fell flat in the first game, losing 6-25. “We couldn’t put it all together,” said Matt. But he was pleased with the opportuities his team found in the second game. “The middles are getting their hits in when they get a chance to swing,” he said, “and our blocking was very good.” CAPS lost the second game 20-25.
Forest City proved an equally tough opponent. CAPS struggled in the first two games – losing both sets by identical scores of 13-25. A third game was added and that’s when the CAPS settled into finer form. The day ended well with the CAPS on top in the final game, 16-14.
Overall, the tournament was a useful lesson. “It doesn't matter how well you perform in November,” said Matt, “it matters how you do in April.”
Back in Ottawa, the team is hard at work preparing for the first OVA tournament of the year on November 29th in Trenton. They’ll be ready!
