Durham Attack | 16U Boys Win Provincial Silver!

On the weekend of April 28th and 29th, Durham Attack Black 16U Boys competed in the 2007 Ontario Provincial Volleyball Championships and came home with the Silver medal.

This was a two-day tournament to determine the best of the best in Ontario volleyball. Going in ranked 6th, the boys were put up against a tough pool, consisting of Pakmen (#1), Forest City (#7), and Waterloo Tigers Black (#10).

Day 1: Pool Play

Game 1: Waterloo Tigers (26-24, 25-18)

The boys' first game of the tournament was against the Waterloo Tigers. The morning was still affecting the boys, yet they managed to pull out a two-set win. Things were looking up as this was the first two-set win for the boys in a first game for the season.

Game 2: Forest City (24-26, 20-25)

The second game of the day was against Forest City VC. This was a tough match to swallow as the boys went down in straight sets. Yet Attack had to pick itself up for its match against rivals Pakmen.

Game 3: Pakmen (25-17, 24-26, 9-15)

Attack has had a rivalry against Pakmen, who has held the #1 spot for the season, ever since competing in 14U. The boys were pumped for this game and showed it in the first set, playing one of their best sets of the season, defeating them 25-17. Second set was well played as well, but results showed the Attack boys defeated 26-24. With Pakmen having the momentum, they also defeated Attack in the third set 15-9. This put the boys in third place after pool play.

Day 2: PLAYOFFS!

Crossover Match: MAC (25-22, 24-26, 16-14)

After a third place result in pool play, the boys were to face MAC (ranked #4) in the crossover match. This was a tight game, and it ended up going
to 3 sets. Attack was down 14-11, they needed to push for 5 points to take the game. They played with heart and ended up coming back to take the match 16-14.

Quarter-Final Match: Chatham Ballhawks (25-20, 25-23)

After a win against MAC, Attack was pitted against Chatham, who got a bye into the quarter-finals. The boys finished this game quick, aided by their goal of reaching the final.

Semi-Final Match: Niagara Rapids (25-22, 26-24)

One more game and the boys were off to the finals. They had to defeat the always dangerous offense of the Niagara Rapids. However, our Attack boys stepped up to the challenge and took them in 2 sets. After the game, the boys made a circle and chanted, "WERE GOIN TO THE 'SHIP, WHAT? WERE GOIN TO THE 'SHIP, WHAT?"

FINAL MATCH: Ottawa Kangaroos (25-16, 24-26, 14-16)

The Ottawa Kangaroos, ranked 3rd, were always a force to be reckoned with. This was possibly the best match of the day, with neither team gaining momentum on each other. The boys came out with a bang playing possibly their BEST set of the season, defeating the Roos 25-16. However the second set was in the Roos favour, 26-24.

The dreaded 3rd set. Always a heartbreaker, especially in the finals of the Ontario Championships! The boys couldn't seem to gain any ground on the Roos, falling 8-4. However, they quickly stepped up to tie the match at 12-12. One point after another, and the boys seemed to find themselves in a 15-14 deficit. The Roos pulled a very impressive tandem to end the match at 16-14. After a long day, the boys were extremely happy to find themselves with a SILVER MEDAL.

Reflecting upon this performance the past weekend, the boys really showed how to play under pressure and played with EXTREME determination and perseverance. To go from at one time ranked number 7 in Ontario to number 2 in Tier 1, is quite remarkable. The boys are now back at the top of the rankings.

Although they are not heading to Calgary for Nationals, they are very excited for next season to arrive. NEXT GOAL: ONTARIO 17U CHAMPIONS.

Awesome Job Boys!!!

All photos...