Growing gradually more accustomed to tournament success, the Northern Chill 13U girls are hoping to learn to build on it as the game intensifies.
The young crew pushed through to victory in their first three matches of the day recently in Newmarket, before falling just short of returning home with medals.
Pool play provided the Chill with an opportunity to build some success as the Sudbury squad swept past both the Orillia Sun Strikers (25-12, 25-11) and Markham Unity West (25-23, 25-22).
Quarter-final play proved somewhat closer, though the Chill would ultimately prevail, overcoming the Barrie Elite Blue in three sets, 25-11, 27-29, 15-8.
“It was a great start to the tourney, finishing first in our pool, only to lose in the semis to the team that won gold,” Glenn Murray, head coach said. “The disappointment was hard for the girls to overcome.”
Indeed, a 16-25, 15-25 setback at the hands of the Markham Revolution Rush gave way to a bronze medal rematch with Markham Unity West, the locals have already proven they are more than capable of going toe to toe with their southern Ontario adversaries.
Unfortunately, the tables would be turned as Markham stopped the Chill 25-19, 25-18.
“We couldn’t bounce back,” noted Murray. “It was definitely a learning experience for many of them, as we need to learn how to play our game and not theirs.”
That said, there was no lack of positive takeaways from the tournament, including the performances of Annie Simon (“played solid defence throughout the entire tournament”) and Gabrielle Comeau (“has really improved on her defence”).
The balance of the 2017-2018 Chill 13U roster, a team which is back in action this weekend, includes Lindsay Murray, Shanna Lessard, Emily Audette, Alexie Chicoine, Kayla Bouffard, Kameryn Van Wallegham, Emma Harris, Abby Ayotte, Ashley Ruddick and Alyssa Nicholls.
