“Is that the same team you entered on January 12th?” was the question that was asked of Head Coach Stephen Green from three different coaches of other teams in the tournament. There is often a “light switch” that turns on with teams throughout a season. For the 13U Preds it was February 23rd in Stratford at the Burgarski Cup.

In the first match of the day, the bottom seeded Preds took on the number one seed South County Bandits Black. The Preds got off to a very slow start being down 12-3 at one point. The girls fought back but lost the first set 16-25.It was at that point that the aforementioned “light switch” got flipped! The team began to dominate on one of their main goals which was an effective first contact on serve receive and defence by winning the match with wins in the second and third set 26-24, 15-10 respectively. This included a 9-0 run to end the third set and match.

The next two round robin matches consisted of a victory over the Woodstock Warriors (arguably the cutest team in the OVA!!!) 25-18, 25-18 and a very close match loss to the Stratford Stingers Gold 19-25, 25-14, 6-15. After the 2-1 finish in Pool Play, the Preds established themselves as the team to beat in the tournament with a first place finish and assuming the number one seed!

The Quarter Final match would be a re-match with the 12U Preds which the 13Us lost to on January 12th. The 13Us knew they had something to prove and played well winning 25-7, 25-8. “I think everyone is awaiting the grudge match between these two teams!”, commented Jack Frimeth, Assistant Coach with the 13U Preds. The next match (and subsequent matches) would be an all-new experience for the Preds; a trip to the Semi Finals as a team that EVERYONE wanted to beat!

The Semis would be a re-match of a pool play opponent facing off against the Woodstock Warriors. The Preds went in the match confident and ready to make a statement. However, after the Warriors raised their level of game, the Preds lost a heartbreaker three-set marathon to the Warriors 23-25, 25-19, 14-16. In the bronze medal match, the Preds worked hard but lost to another pool play opponent South County Bandits Black 17-25, 14-25. On this day, they would have to settle for fourth.

“Despite the loss in the Semis and Bronze Medal Match, everyone has left today with a HUGE sense of accomplishment. These athletes have worked extremely hard through some tough practices over the past seven weeks and have come out the other side a more competitive, cohesive unit. They deserve all the merit!.” said coach Green. “This tournament was all about ‘firsts’; first in Pool Play, first Semi final match, first Medal match. The future looks incredibly bright!”.

The 13U Preds continue their season of learning and “firsts” when they compete in their first 14U tournament this Saturday March 1st at Rockway Mennonite in Kitchener.