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18U Girls punch golden ticket back to Premier Division
(PHOTOS)
By Kerry Green, with photos by Eva Edwards
February 7, 2009 — The 18U Girls traveled down the 401 once more this weekend, only this time the trip was a little shorter than previously planned. The girls played in the OVA 18U Girls Bugarski Cup – Championship East Division, in Trenton, with the sole intention of reclaiming a spot in the Premier Division (formerly Tier 1) for the next OVA event.
The CAPS were the top seed and, as a result, got a bit of extra sleep as they only needed to be at the gym by 9am for a game in the second time slot. In pool play, the girls displayed a high level of skill all around and wanted to prove that this is not where they intended to stay. After a good warmup they faced Kingston’s Pegasus Shock and let it be known that they were here for business, dispatching Pegasus in straight sets. After sitting out one rotation, next up was Georgian Bay Vista from Midland. The CAPS girls again displayed their determination by defeating Vista in 2 quick sets, which gave them first place in pool play and a bye to the quarter finals. Everything looked like it was clicking – good passing, setting and both middle and outside hitting. Contributions were made by all of the players and it was clear the last few weeks of hard work in the gym were paying off.
The free ride to the quarter finals gave the girls plenty of time to refresh their energy. They set up shop in a hallway that led to the cafeteria where all the players and parents from the competition had to pass. One never knew what they would come across as they passed the “CAPS Den”: it could have been a team meeting, team luncheon, team nap, team physio session, or the intimidating team dance to the pounding beat coming from the team boom box. Whatever it was, it was clear that this was a TEAM!
In the quarter-finals, the CAPS came up against Sudbury Chill. After watching Chill in their crossover, it became clear that their middle had to be stopped in order to beat this team. With stellar play, the CAPS took the match 2-0.
On to the semis and Interclub. A new cheer was introduced by the girls: “WHO'S TIME IS IT? ......... OUR TIME!”, which reverberated throughout both gyms for the next few hours. In the semifinal, the CAPS kept to the motto that it was their time and, with some great offense, took the first set. Perhaps thinking the match could now be won easily, it seemed the girls put it on cruise control, but the great defense of Interclub proved otherwise and Interclub came back to take the second. This would be the first bump faced by the girls on their road back to Premier. The coaching staff did a great job of refocusing the girls who came back to take the 3rd set and the match.
Although the CAPS were undefeated on the day and had only lost one set in 4 matches, there was still a feeling of anxiousness in the Den. The ultimate goal for the weekend had not yet been accomplished – one match to go against the team we expected to meet in the final, Durham Attack 17U.
The CAPS had been well prepared for this match and were pumped to get back where they belong, in the Premier division. At 9:15 in the evening, the match started, with points flying back and forth until the CAPS kicked it up a notch and took the first set. Again, a sense of complacency took over and they gave away the second. So, now it came down to one final set. CAPS displayed some of their best play and enthusiasm of the day and roared through the tiebreaker, 15-6. Mission accomplished!!!!
Congratulations to the athletes and coaching staff for a great day of well-played and exciting volleyball. Special thanks to Dr. Carrie Johnston for making the trip and for keeping the girls (that she is getting to know too well!) going for the full 14 hrs!! Finally, best wishes to Kathleen for a speedy return to the gym...
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| Photos below submitted by: julie kirkpatrick |
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| Photos below submitted by: Kerry |
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