Hosting TLB Boys Challenge Cup – Trillium B play at the Laurentian University Fieldhouse two weeks ago, the Northern Chill 14U Blizzards would capture 13 of the 16 sets they contested on the day. Unfortunately, that wasn’t quite enough to win it all as two of their three losses came in the final, with the Sudbury crew settling for silver when the dust settled at the OVA (Ontario Volleyball Association) sanctioned tournament.
Playing in a pool of four teams, the Blizzards disposed of both the Barrie Elites Aces (25-7, 25-14) and the Venom Carnage from Richmond Hill (25-15, 25-18) in their first two matches of the day. Even a 25-18, 21-25 split with the Barrie Elites Avengers did little to harm the locals, still sitting first and drawing a favourable quarter-final pairing.
Victories by scores of 25-11, 25-14 (over Storm Inferno from Aurora – QF) and 25-21, 25-20 (over Pakmen Gold from Mississauga) served notice that the level of opposition was being heightened with every step.
Still, a 25-23 first set triumph over Pakmen Black (Mississauga) still had the northern lads feeling good about their chances – only to see the well-travelled visitors rally as Pakmen claimed the final two sets, 25-9, 15-12, relegating the Blizzards to a second place finish.
The Northern Chill boys will look to couple a gold medal with the silver hardware when they return to action as the number one seed on February 15th, with McGregor Cup play set to take place in Barrie.
The Northern Chill U14 Blizzards brings together the assorted talents of Selim Ibrahim, Levi Tripp, Henry Case, Mateo Dudet, Jace Seguin, Caleb Zakamarka, Mattéo Lachapelle, Cameron Desrochers, Reid Cayer, Ajay Martin, Skyler Trottier, Bentley Norman, head coach Ashleigh Conley, assistant coach Cindy Seguin and team manager Vicky Desrochers.