With every passing year, the level of skill being produced within the Northern Chill Volleyball Club rises.

Beyond the fact that an ever-increasing number of Chill teams find themselves ranked in the top twenty in the province comes the news that on an individual basis, local teens are being tapped for provincial team duty or, in some cases, garnering attention on a national scale with regularity these days.

But here’s the thing: for as good as these kids are on the court, they are even better people all-around, well positioned to move forward and tackle all that life will throw their way in the decades to come.

The sincerity of the praise that was lauded on so many deserving youngsters at the Northern Chill Evening of Excellence end of season banquet Sunday evening at the Caruso Club resonated in spades.

One of several graduating boys heading to join the ranks of the OCAA next season with coach Dale Beausoleil and the Cambrian Shield, Owen Perron was presented the Frost Award. That recognition captures not only a “passion for the sport”, but also speaks to “leadership” and “friendship” – and setting a “standard for all athletes to aspire to”.

A long-time member of the Sudbury (baseball) Voyageurs in his youth, the soon-to-be graduate of Confederation Secondary School has clearly found his athletic niche.

“I really like the camaraderie of volleyball, how on every play, you huddle up, with your team, in the middle,” said Perron, garnering his first initiation to volleyball while still attending Redwood Acres Public School.

“It’s a real team sport and I just enjoy that more.”

Warm and fuzzy feelings aside, the undersized left-side attacker has learned how to contribute, offensively speaking, even when matched against opponents that might tower over him. “For me, it’s going up and knowing where the block is,” said Perron. “Trying to find those gaps, whether it’s cross or down the line – or use the hands, even.”

“If I am really struggling, I’ll just start swinging as hard as I can, high right off their hands.”

More so, Perron has demonstrated a versatility that is sure to serve him well as he embarks on his post-secondary journey in just a few months time.

“I’ve always been an outside hitter – but libero as well,” he noted. “The biggest mindset switch is that when you are playing libero, your focus is on passing and covering.”

“When you are playing outside, there are so many more things that come into play. You’re in on passing, receiving, blocking, attacking. But it’s all about doing that first step, passing the ball, and then going from there.”

Yet another key acquisition being welcomed to the Shield volleyball family in time for the 2025-2026 season, middle Camille Barr is taking that next step that she certainly did not see coming when she was cut from the grade 5/6 team at Jean-Paul II years ago. Only through the prompting of her mother did she dust herself off and crack the roster of the 7/8 team, a year later as an underager.

“That’s when it all started,” said Barr, a grade 12 student at Ecole secondaire catholique l’Horizon who will be working towards her nursing designation while at Cambrian. “We went to Franco (tournament) that year and won bronze. Then in grade nine, monsieur (Patrick) Gervais suggested I tryout for the Chill.”

“I didn’t even know that existed.”

Four years later, she owes much of her development to the local volleyball club, which merges nicely with a very strong school program at the home of the Aigles. All of this has allowed her to refine her game over time – even the parts that she might not enjoy.

“The main thing I liked about middle was always that I don’t need to play defense,” said Barr with a smile, acknowledging that at most levels of the sport, the towering centerpieces on the front line are often subbed out for liberos on the back line rotation. “I really don’t like defense – but this year, Sheldon (18U coach Sheldon Root) has been helping me a lot with my defense.”

“I feel a lot more comfortable now.”

For as much as she likely will never be a natural passer, Barr knows that a much bigger key to success at the next level lies in her ability to continually improve her blocking technique – which can be done in a few different ways.

“I see how they’re always closing the block (at Cambrian); it’s like a wall,” said Barr. “I still have trouble with blocking sometimes. I am definitely more physical. I feel that my long legs really help me. But I need to learn to see the ball better, to see her shoulder, see where she is facing.”

“You can’t just throw up your hands and hope the ball is going to hit your hands. That’s what I used to do.”

Recognized as the One to Watch – Boys 15-16U, Miguel Gauthier is often praised on his willingness to build on what is already a very impressive skill set, constantly searching for excellence. “This year, my defense really improved,” noted the 15 year-old grade ten student at Macdonald-Cartier.

“Before, I couldn’t really pass that well – but this year, I really improved a lot. I am going to have to work on getting a little bigger, stronger and jumping higher – and having more consistency.”

A key member of the Chill 15U Norsemen squad that travelled to Edmonton for nationals and enjoyed some team bonding outlets while taking in the Rocky Mountains in Jasper, Gauthier circles back to the core attraction of the sport that club-mate Owen Perron offered right from the start of this story.

“I love that in volleyball, everyone cheers each other on,” he stated. “I just really like the flow of the game and how it works.”

Following is a breakdown of the remaining Club Awards that were handed out on Sunday:

Player of the Years – Girls – Olivia Nicholls
Player of the Year – Boys – Olivier Tremblay
Chill Award – Girls – Kaylee Seguin
The One to Watch – Girls – 15-16U – Marissa MacLean
The One to Watch – Girls – 12-14U – Emma DeMarchi
The One to Watch – Boys – 12-14U – Willem Timusk
President’s Award – Mike Rybiak
McNair Cup – 17U Boys - Glaciers

* another indication of the talent that the Northern Chill VC is producing: Olivia Nicholls is heading to play with the Acadia Axewomen next season while Olivier Tremblay, who is just completing his grade 11 school year at ESMC, was unable to attend the banquet on Sunday, currently completing a recruitment site visit with the Brandon Bobcats – the 2024-2025 U Sport Men’s Volleyball champions