I just wanted to once again congratulate you for such a tremendous feat... 2 weekends, 2 age groups and two successive Gold medals!

 

We set a goal of coming back strong and winning the 18U Gold in Ottawa after only getting a 5th in Stratford at the last U17's. Going through the pool play without a set loss and finishing first was a testament to strong team play - everyone saw the court and played their part well. The cross-over match against the Aces showed your resilience after winning the first set 25-20 & narrowly losing the second 25-17; you put the hammer down to win 15-11. Although the scores don't indicate it, your skill was evident in the semi's against North Bay winning: 25-20, 25-22. Then to the Finals and a match up with Aurora; a team that beat us previously and felt that they had the upper hand on us...No!  Your team work and courageous defense was the difference in a 25-15, 25-21 trip to the Gold medal! 

 

Now to Saturday and the 17U Championship West tournament. What to expect?  Another goal of Gold and a trip to Premier Division - that's what we wanted.  The challenge was for us not to sit on our laurels....

 

Our pool was by far the toughest (all 4 teams ended up in the semi's). Not only did we have to face London FC; the team that knocked us out of medal contention in Stratford but for many of you, it was a chance to face your former coach and teammates from Hurricanes.  First match: a sweep of Niagara Rapids. Second match: Hurricanes..and they were fired up to play us! To their credit they put up a great fight and took us to three. At the end we won 15-11 in the third and that match was the springboard to a new level of competency for us. London FC was our third pool play and we cruised through that one to win the pool.

 

Now we wait... a looooong time!  The 1/4's was a domination of the FC 16U team and then onto the semi's against London FC again. No repeat of Stratford this time...we were on...another 2 set sweep! But, another extended wait as the second Semi was running late. The big test was looming; the Hurricanes win and were ready to play us!  They felt that they were robbed of a chance to win the round robin match by a late line call that went our way in the third set. We were cold after the wait, they had just played...

 

Needless to say - we were very, very good and played like a team that was ready to compete in Premier (Tier 1). The Hurricanes worked hard but at the end of the day: Fire and Fury were good as GOLD!

 

Exceptional day for Maggie Litton as our Libero. Terrific decision making by our setters - setting, at the best of times is tough but when your coach asks you to set from both a 5-1 & 6-2 formation at different times during a tournament, then you know that you have two very talented setters! Our Middles just continue to get better and better as a group. Three girls that can come in and out to give each other rest and not upset the rhythm of the team is extraordinary; great work Megan, Cherice and Christine.  What can we say about the progress of Sommer and Alex? Yes, they are formidable offensive players but as everyone knows - I demand above average defensive work - they are bringing it...keep it up ladies. Then we have our bright light of energy off the bench - Lauren. Eventhough she had a bad shoulder she was able to add to the on-court success but moreso; extend her positive vibes from the bench. Lastly, we have Andrea; still getting up to speed after a looong injury layoff, she is allowing me more and more flexibility with our line-up. If it wasn't for her natural skill set, we wouldn't be able to move so smoothly from the 5-1 to a 6-2 and back. Plus, can you beat the smile she had when she was placing the Gold medals over her teammates heads!

 

A special thanks to Bob - once again a calming and astute influence on our bench. And to the parents; the girls are thriving with your positive energy - thank you!

 

Ladies, you are a special group...thank you for the journey..let's keep it going.

Andy