BY SCOTT
HADDOW
When athletes hit elite levels, expectations rise. High stakes
have caused athletes to fold under the spotlight pressure.
Shane St. Louis, head coach of the Northeastern Ontario
Regional girls' Under-16 volleyball squad, knows this pressure
will be battering his team at the upcoming 2006 Ontario Summer
Games.
He's doing everything in his power to ensure the girls will
be able to handle the pressure and, hopefully, excel under the
limelight.
Last week, the team started training at Hanmer High School
and they only have three weeks to meld into one cohesive unit.
The games run from Aug. 6 to 10 in Ottawa.
Despite sweltering heat, the squad pushed their limits
immediately.
The drills were hard and to the point.  Every other
qualified team from across Ontario is doing the same thing as
the drive for gold has already started to consume vast amounts
of sweat, blood and tears.
The U-16 Northeastern Ontario team is thick with Sudbury
players.
All but one of the girls hails from the Greater Sudbury area. The other player comes from Noelville.
The girls are going to make life tough for opposing squads
at the net. The team features an abundance of size and skill.
"We're going to be strong at the net...we have a couple of key
players on our left side," said St. Louis. "Dayna Herold and
Allison Adams are great serve receivers and they really hit the
ball well from the left side. We also have some strong players
in the middle at the net, so I am looking for us to be a good
blocking team."
Having the entire squad believing in themselves will be
paramount for any kind of success in a cutthroat tournament
like the Ontario games.
"Confidence is going to be a big key for us...there are
three or four girls in their first provincial setting," said
the coach. "They all have to realize the amount of talent they
do have is comparable to the competition."
If the team can find a groove and get on a roll, a medal
could possible be within their grasp.
Of course, like hardy farmers, they will have to pour all
their energy into the task if they expect to harvest any
precious medals.
"The girls are really committed...That will help," said the
coach. 
The team has all-around ability.
"We have a good hitting team," said middle Emilie Lavoie. "We're a good receiving team and we're also good at getting the ball into play."
