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15U-Navy plays up for bronze at 16U McGregor Cup in Kingston
(PHOTOS)
By John Ruttle, with photos by Paul Havey
January 10, 2009 — The CAPS 15U-Navy effort at the OVA 16U Girls McGregor Cup – Zone D in Kingston this past weekend proves that this is a team with which to be reckoned in 2009.
The girls demonstrated some of the strongest play to date, and they left Kingston late Saturday with bronze around their necks! Matt, ever the perfectionist and asking for all-out effort in every match, said the girls’ performance was a 6 out of 10. At times, he said, they were brilliant. At others, he suggests, they were not very well organized. Overall though, this tournament was a tremendous success, to be built upon in the weeks to come.
Our CAPS came out fast in pool play with a victory in their first match against the Belleville Ravens 16U (25-8, 25-11). The girls controlled the pace of the match from the very start. The passes off serve reception were great, giving the hitters a chance to swing.
The girls may have lost the second match of the day to Mavericks Trailblazers 16U (16-25, 25-23, 17-19), but in some ways it may have been their strongest of the year. Mavericks appeared in control in the first set, but in the second, the CAPS rallied back from a deep deficit to take the set in dramatic style. In the tie-breaker, the teams see-sawed back and forth until the CAPS narrowly let it slip past. The girls showed they have the heart to play harder when it matters, and they can rally back when everything is on the line. The match showed how much potential this team has, and what the girls are willing to do to win.
The CAPS next defeated Panthers 16U (25-20, 25-22) to ensure their track into the medal round. In the next round against Pegasus 16U, the girls struggled abit, losing in straight sets (11-25, 11-25). Too many aces from Pegasus, too many free balls handed back. CAPS could not get organized, and fell flat.
The long day ended perfectly though, as CAPS battled for a bronze medal. Peterborough Thunder 16U were met by a CAPS assault (25-14, 25-23), and a victory which earned this group of young ladies’ their first ever OVA medal! The day was long and tiring, but they proved more resilient than in any tournament so far and were richly rewarded for their efforts.
The 15U-Navy girls take to the road this weekend, to play in their first 15U tournament that really matters – the OVA 15U Girls McGregor Cup – Zone D in Trenton... and they’re ready to win!
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