In June of 1970, the rock band Chicago released the song “25 or 6 to 4” – a tune one would not expect a single member of the Northern Chill Frost U18 Boys to know.

Depending on his love of music, perhaps head coach James Schweyer could hum a bar or two.

Regardless, the local volleyball team might have penned their 2023-2024 season to the same tune, but with the lyrics “14 or 8 to 5”.

The team entered play back in the fall ranked #14 in the province, a seeding that was substantiated by the final finish of the Chill Frost U17 boys one year ago.

By the time OVA provincials rolled around two weeks ago, the Sudbury squad had climbed to eighth overall, a testament to the improvement that was noted by the team coaching staff.

“Playing at a high level all season allowed the middle blockers to read plays faster, the passers to receive hard driven serves, the setters to run a faster tempo offense and the hitters to see the blockers before swinging to make good hitting decisions,” said coach Schweyer upon his return from the all-Ontario playdowns.

The Chill looked the part on day one of competition, surviving a strong push from both the FCVC (Forest City Volleyball Club) from London (22-25, 25-16, 20-18) and the MAC Titanium from Hamilton (26-28, 25-21, 15-13).

Facing the number one ranked team in the province in their final pool match, the Frost battled through three very intense sets before giving way to the Pakmen Gold from Mississauga, 15-25, 26-24, 9-15.

The ensuing playoff round draw would pit the northern lads initially opposite the KW (Kitchener-Waterloo) Preds Legacy, the team slotted just one line below the Pakmen in the rankings. Once again, three sets are required as KW defeats the Chill, 25-17, 28-26, 25-22 (now into best of five matches).

With fifth in the province now the best possible outcome for the Northern Chill Frost, that quickly became the goal, one that was realized thanks to victories over both MAC Iron (25-8, 25-18, 29-31, 26-28, 15-13) and the Ancaster Lions Fury (17-25, 25-23, 25-19, 27-25).

“Strong passing from Andrew Rose, Cale Bast and Jordan Schweyer helped the setters, James Welsh and Sam George run an effective offense,” recapped coach Schweyer, ably assisted this year by Bryan Welsh.

“The middle blockers, Alexis Rheaume, Bosco Durcharme and Colin Linder did a great job running a fast offense. Zander Kasunich had a strong hitting performance all weekend and the serving specialist Owen Foers did not miss a serve.”