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16Us “shock the world” with Div 2/Tier 1 Silver at 17U Canadian Open in Ottawa
(PHOTOS)
By Tawney Shanahan, with photos by Paul Normand and Ariff Dawoodjee
May 1-3, 2009 — On Day 1 of the Volleyball Canada 17U Girls Canadian Open, the 16U CAPS had yet another 5:30 am wakeup call, but this time they got to sleep in their own beds (YAY)! We made our way to Algonquin college for our first day of play.
Our first game was against Sub Zero – it was definately our first time playing a team from Whitehorse, YT! The CAPS won in straight sets by scores of 25-16 and 25-13. Our next game didn’t go as well. Chill from Sudbury won in two, 25-11 and 25-16. Our last game of the day – “the best game of the day” – was against Park Fuze from Alberta. The game went to three sets, 19-25, 25-12 and 15-11. That was the end of Day 1 for the CAPS. Some girls helped with the volunteering and others went home and took a well-needed nap after a long day.
DAY 2
Once again, the alarm rang around 5:30 for the 16Us on Day 2. The CAPS had a 7:30 game at Carleton against LVC from Lethbridge, AB. The CAPS came out strong, despite the early morning game, and took them in straight sets, 25-16 and 25-22. The next game was by far a game that the CAPS needed no extra motivation to win. It would be against the Maverick Outlaws, our biggest rivals. The girls all meant business, and came out really strong, winning the first set 25-20. In the second set the Mavs fought back and were up by 7, but the CAPS worked hard and evened it out at 24s. We were off to a third set though, after the Outlaws won the second, 26-24. This time the CAPS came out with passion, and it was obvious that we really wanted to win. With strong serving, perfect setting, great passing and killer hitting, the CAPS took the third set 15-6. We have been waiting to finally beat this great team all year, and we finally accomplished just that. We are all very proud of how far we have come this season. Our last game of the day was against MAC from Hamilton. The CAPS were coming off an emotional high and we were looking to carry it on into our next game. Unfortunately, we lacked spirit and energy and lost in straight sets: 16-25, 20-25.
After a second day of tough competition, the CAPS sat under the sun and had a picnic in the grass. Thanks to all the parents – especially Paul Normand and Ariff – for making a trip to the grocery store to get some goodies, to all the parents for bringing their share, to Emma who kept track of who was bringing what, and to Linden for the great idea. It was a blast!
DAY 3
On Day 3, the CAPS will get an extra hour sleep since their quarter-final game was schedueled at 8:30. The girls headed out to the RA Centre for our Div 2 Tier 1 quarter against Niagara Rapids Black. The girls came out a little shaky and the Rapids took a quick lead. The CAPS ate away at their lead – point-by-point – coming back to win the first set 25-21. In the second, the CAPS were up 18-10, had some scramble plays and a loss of focus and ended up losing 22-25. On to another third set. Our goal as a team is always to be the first team to 8 and we accomplished exactly that. The CAPS came out strong and won the set 15-8.
Another team goal that we accomplished this weeked was to make it back to play at Carleton, and we did! In the semis, we got a chance to re-match the Chill team that we played on the first day. In the first set, Chill won 25-20. The CAPS were NOT happy, so in the second set we showed up to play our game and won 25-21. On to yet another third set, and the CAPS won 15-10! The 16U CAPS were off to the finals to play SSI Fortius, a team from Alberta. The CAPS looked a little tired and lost in straight sets: 20-25, 18-25.
The 16U CAPS shocked the world once again and surpassed lots of expectations this weekend! The girls all had a blast and we are all very proud of our 17U Div 2, Tier 1 silver medal. Thanks to all the parents for supporting the team throughout the year and for driving us all over the province! (It was nice to play on home turf for once!) Thanks also goes out to Linden and Devon for all the hours they spend with us to make us better athletes. Thanks to Cathy for helping coach us this weekend and for always being there for us, and thanks to all the volunteers who have helped make this tournament a huge success.
— Tawney Shanahan #12
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| Photos below submitted by: Paul Normand |
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