The reality of provincial championships is that they are over in a flash.

Blink and you miss it.

The simple truth is that a slow start, in the least, can quickly derail any hopes of a decent result in the end. The Northern Chill 16U Black Vortex were not about to let that happen.

Capping off a year which featured many a memorable performance, the Sudbury girls struggled to find their “A” game early.

Day 1 of Division I play would see the 11th seed in the province fail to hit the win column, beaten by the Durham Attack Intensity from Oshawa (# 6 – 12-25, 16-25), Pakmen Gold from Mississauga (#3 – 12-25, 15-25) and the Smash Raiders Nitro from Hamilton (#14 – 22-25, 13-25).

There may have been some carry-over into day 2 as the Wildcats Tigers from Markham swept the Chill Black Vortex 25-19, 25-10 before the locals caught their breath, outlasting the Georgetown Impact Crush, 22-25, 25-22, 16-14.

Still, a 12-25, 16-25 setback to the Caspian Surge (Newmarket) did not bode well for the locals heading into the final day of play. Facing Division 1 Tier 3 competition on Sunday morning, the Chill got the better of the Phoenix Talons from Toronto (25-18, 25-21) and went the distance in eliminating the Niagara Rapids TNT (St Catharines) 25-22, 18-25, 16-14 in semi-final action.

With Tier 3 gold medals on the line, the Black Vortex went smash for smash in a rematch with the Caspian Surge, settling for silver following a 25-17, 18-25, 17-19 loss.

The 2023-2024 edition of the Northern Chill 16U Black Vortex would gather Mya Balfe, Ellie Renaud, Isabelle Renaud, Madison Paris, Nyah Robinson, Cate Verlaan, Isabella Sooley, Isabella MacIsaac, Maili Jutila and Lilah Selby, with call-up Rebecca George lending a helping hand for provincials.

Team staff featured head coach Paul Renaud, assistant coach Tammy Jutila and team manager Jennifer Selby.