16U Bronze for 15U boys
16U Provincial Cup – Nov 19, 2011
A very solid performance against the Ottawa Fusion started the day. After dropping the first few points the boys found their stride and served (pun intended) notice they were a force to be reckoned with, coming back from 5-14 to tie it up at 17-17, before Ottawa took advantage of some weak returns and missed serves to hand DA a 25-19 loss. The second set was another strong showing from our boys, with good positioning and solid net defense helping them keep pace with Fusion. Again however, their momentum waned just enough, allowing the Fusion the opening they needed to take the set 25-17. In this tournament the pool play was 3 full sets per game. The boys jumped to a quick 15-3 lead serving well, playing together and controlling the rallies, before inexplicably losing momentum and letting up on the hard shots. They regrouped, managed to hold off the Fusion surge and took the set 25-15.
The team’s play in the second game had more than one member of the audience wondering if our boys were displaying just a little too much empathy with the NHL’s Leafs and their style of play lately. After such a strong 1st match, the fellas found themselves struggling against the STVC Swag. While DA’s defense and serving continued to keep them in the contest, playing catchup can unsettle the boys and throw off their concentration. They handed the STVC Swag the 1st set 25-18, thereby proving you cannot sleepwalk through these matches. DA dropped 7 points to start the 2nd set before finally getting their heads into the game. It was another comeback fight which showcased some excellent playmaking, accompanied by some listless efforts, making for a difficult competition where it didn’t need to be. Up 21-16, DA again started to slump, letting Swag come back to tie it 24-24, before another couple of inspired plays gave DA the 26-24 win. The 3rd set was another exhibition of what not to do on a volleyball court, and the boys lost 25-15. Perhaps a session with Carl Jung or Sigmund Freud (no we won’t try blaming their mothers) could help explain this psychological rollercoaster?
After a much needed break, and a Coach’s pep talk, the boys came back with a new determination. The 1st set against Pegasus of Kingston, saw a strong start with good serves inspiring accurate sets and powerful returns. Finding that elusive focus once again, the set became a battle for consecutive points for both clubs, with solid rallies and hard hits making for entertaining back and forth action. Pegasus managed a last minute rally to take the set 25-22. Not to be outdone, Durham came back in the 2nd set with a more aggressive attitude dictating their play. There were a few tense moments at the beginning as the boys dropping behind, however this time they rallied with consistent serving and controlled volley’s to regain the lead and keep it, taking the set 25-23. Playing with renewed confidence, the 3rd set was a continuation of DA’s momentum building as they rolled to a 15-6 victory.
Positioned to play for a medal, DA found themselves once again facing the Ottawa Fusion; another club who had been getting noticeably stronger throughout the day. From the first serve you could see the level of play had intensified for both teams. It was a close match early on, but with their hard hitters and strong blockers, Ottawa started adding up the points. The final score of 25-11 for Fusion doesn’t really reflect the level of play. Ottawa just managed to capitalize on the opportunities presented. The 2nd set saw still more strong serving and accurate returns from both sides, but this time it was DA who got the timely breaks. Maintaining their early lead of what turned into a very thrilling match and visibly rising to the challenge before them, the boys took the set 25-20. In the tiebreaker 3rd set, the audience was again witness to plenty of hard hitting, spiking and volleying from both sides of the net. Unfortunately at the mid-set switch, the flow changed and the Durham boys found themselves on the receiving end of a renewed attack by Ottawa. The Fusion took control and went on to win the set 15-5 and a place in the gold medal game. Durham Attack 15u boys found themselves challenging for 16U bronze.
Facing the Maverick Longhorns in the Bronze medal match, Durham Attack was back on form and with both teams playing hard, it was an extremely exciting, challenging point for point 1st set. Everyone played with heart and the boys displayed a total team effort. Durham Attack finally got the upper hand and took the set 25-21. The 2nd set was a prime example of just how well these boys can play when they stay focused, continue to hit hard and communicate. They took an early lead and despite a couple of questionable calls, which on another occasion might have unraveled them, they hung on to their inner inspiration, never letting up, even during some of the longer rallies they had encountered throughout the day, and went on to take the set 25-17, and the 16U Provincial Cup Bronze medal. Big cheers and an overwhelming sigh of relief.
