A very quick start at the Fall Classic (Championship/Premier Divisions) vaulted the Northern Chill Frost 18U Boys up with the top echelon of teams in their age group in the province. It also quickly demonstrated to head coach James Schweyer and company exactly what they will need to do to stay there.

Ranked 14th entering the two-day competition that gathered the top 18 (18U) boys teams in Ontario, the Sudbury squad served notice of some off-season improvement with straight set victories over the Ancaster Lions (# 6 – 25-15, 26-24) and the Niagara Rapids Crush (# 8 – 25-15, 25-22).

The afternoon regrouping now had the Chill Frost going toe to toe with the #1 and # 3 seeds in the form of the Halton Hurricanes – Category 8 and Mississauga Pakmen Gold (Omar), as the northern crew fell 20-25, 19-25 and 20-25, 17-25 in back to back matches.

Still, they remained in Premier Bracket for the Playoff Round on Sunday, ranked sixth (of eight) but sent to the consolation side of the draw thanks to a 17-25, 25-23, 6-15 setback at the hands of the second Pakmen entry (Gold – JS), the team which would eventually finish fourth.

The locals remained alive in consolation semi-final play thanks to a 25-23, 25-17 sweep of the Forest City Volleyball Club from London but had to settle for sixth in the province after losing for a second time to Pakmen Gold (Omar), 25-17, 22-25, 13-15.

“I was extremely pleased with the team's effort and consistent strong play over the two days,” noted coach Schweyer. “Their ability to adjust to the higher level of play was outstanding to watch. I am looking forward to the team's continued development throughout the season.”

With recent OFSAA medallists Sam George, Zander Kasunich (both from Lockerby) and Cale Bast (Lasalle) leading the way, the Chill Frost are anxiously looking to prove they belong with this elite group when the 18U boys reconvene for Challenge Cup play in Guelph on December 16th.

Rounding out the 2023-2024 Northern Chill 18U Frost roster are Andrew Rose, James Welsh, Jordan Schweyer, Alexi Rhéaume, Owen Foers, Bosco Ducharme and Colin Lindner, with Bryan Welsh (assistant coach) and Marc Ducharme (manager) also part of the team staff.