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Navy climbing up the medals towards gold
(PHOTOS)
By John Ruttle, with photos by Paul Havey
January 17th, 2009 — Two weekends, two tournaments, and two medals for CAPS 15U-Navy... and the medals get shinier all the time. The team returned to Trenton for the third time this season to participate in the OVA 15U Girls McGregor Cup – Zone D. Some of the parents, now intimately familiar with the town and the Base, have their own parking spots at Tim Horton’s! (Tims’ staff see Kimmy’s Dad Jimmy coming and get his Four-By-Four ready before he orders!)
The day began well with an opening match in the cavernous and chilly gymnasium on CFB Trenton. Navy began with a flourish with a confident win over Maverick Colts (25-15, 25-15). It was the strongest start yet for the girls, who came out on the attack from the very beginning, and never let the Colts change the momentum of the match.
Next up in pool play, Pegasus Rampage offered a tougher challenge. CAPS lost the first set 21-25. Then, the girls responded with two decisive wins – 25-14 in the second, and the tie-breaker 15-8. With a first place finish in their pool already in hand, Navy breezed into the playoffs by next defeating the Soaring Eagles, 15U (25-11, 25-13).
It was CAPS soaring into the playoffs, under the careful guidance of Cathy, who took over coaching duties from Matt for the day. For her first time coaching this squad in a tournament, Cathy said the girls were performing well. “It’s just the little things,” she said, “that could be improved.” Matt was kept up-to-date on the team’s early success, via his Blackberry.
Their first place finish in pool play set the CAPS up for an advantageous start to the playoffs. Navy beat Pegasus Fusion by scores of 25-10 and 25-12. The win set up a rematch with Maverick Colts. This victory, more decisive than the last (25-7, 25-20), set up Navy for the gold medal game against the only other undefeated team in the tournament, Phenix 15U. Navy and Phenix proved why they were the top two teams in the tournament, with fast and aggressive play from the opening serve. Phenix defeated Navy in straight sets (12-25, 12-25) in a match that showed the CAPS how much work they have ahead.
With the silver medal, CAPS Navy not only improves its standing within the OVA, but also advances the team to Championship division (formerly Tier 2). Thanks very much to CAPS Head Coach Cathy O’Doherty and to her daughter, former York Lion Meghan O’Doherty, for lending their vast expertise to the team on Saturday.
Congratulations Navy. Your best is yet to come.
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