There were three other opponents along the way as the Northern Chill 17U Black Vortex contested the Bugarski Cup – Select B tournament in Mono two weeks ago – but truth be told, the day-long event, from a local perspective, revolved mainly around their matches with the Caspian Surge from Newmarket.

Bracketed in the same pool, the Chill and Surge both disposed of the KW (Kitchener-Waterloo) Preds Engage (Sudbury won 25-18, 25-21) before the Newmarket crew outlasted the northern girls 25-18, 23-25, 15-10 in their head to head affair.

A second place finish in the morning pitted the Black Vortex opposite Pakmen Black from Mississauga next, with the former looking strong by virtue of their 25-10, 25-18 triumph in quarter-final play.

The Smash Raiders Nitro from Hamilton / Waterdown would ride a monstrous third set to a semi-final win (19-25, 25-17, 15-2), relegating the Northern Chill entry to a rematch with the Caspian Surge, with bronze medals on the line.

The Surge were once again superior, sweeping past the Vortex 25-23, 25-20 and relegating the local team to a fourth place finish as one and all prepare for OVA Provincials which run throughout the month of April.

Going to battle for the 17U Chill are Ellie Renaud, Madison Paris, Nyah Robinson, Cate Verlaan, Isabella Sooley, Mya Balfe, Elsa Blum, Mara Kahl, Madisyn Vendetti, Shannon Walton, Maili Jutila and Lilah Selby, along with head coach Guy Perreault, assistant coach Lindsay Digby and team manager Jennifer Selby.