17U Girls Take Gold in Challenge Cup!

Durham Attack 17U Black served notice that they are the premier 17U volleyball team in Ontario, winning Gold at the 2008 OVA Challenge Cup held Jan 19th at the University of Toronto-Scarborough. 17U Black turned in a true team effort for Coach Anne Botica-Grover, winning all five matches in straight sets.

In morning Pool Play, Durham Attack bested Mountain Athletic Club, Hamilton and Peel Selects in straight sets. The University of Western Ontario, Volleyball Canada, Ontario Volleyball Association and volleyballprospects.ca all had representatives in attendance. As well, the NCAA Quiet Period ended on Friday. Coaches from Michigan State, Syracuse, Albany and Bowling Green elected to make the Ontario tournament the first stop in their 2008 recruiting schedule. There were many smiles of approval as DA defeated the Halton Hurricanes in the Quarter-Finals.

This set up a match against our friendly rivals from Forest City, London. These teams have pushed each other to improve, having met in the Finals at the 2007 OVA Provincial Championships, as well as the Finals at the 2007 Canada-West Championships in Calgary. Durham Attack was victorious both times in closely fought matches, even surviving 1-9 and 10-17 deficits in the first game of the Canada-West Finals. The teams had a re-match December 8, 2007 at the 18U OVA Tournament in Forest City’s home town. Again, DA had to play come-from-behind volleyball after dropping the first set and won in three.

And January 19th proved to be more of the same close competition. DA came out hard and fast and won the first set impressively. In the second, the teams matched each other point-for-point to 13-13. Forest City “blinked” first under some strong serving by Rebecca Glancy and Jordyn Moloney and suddenly DA held a 19-14 advantage. Then, it was DA’s turn to blink and it was soon tied. DA held in there, surviving a game point and finally closing it out 28-26 on a patented Ali Goc “howitzer” down the line. Everyone in the gym knew setter Jordyn Moloney would find Ali on match point, but she was not to be denied by the block.

This set up another re-match of sorts, with Aurora Storm in the Challenge Cup Finals. At the OVA 17U December 1st, Storm outlasted DA 16-14 in the third set of the finals. Libero Taylor Mitchell missed that match with the flu and along with Lauren Skelly, made a difference this time around with strong defensive play. Durham Attack grabbed a quick lead and the match was never in doubt. DA dominated the second set to 24-14. Storm rallied to survive several Championship points, but finally gave way to the winner on a flying leap by Kellie Downing. Afterwards, several observers commented that 6-4 Middle Jennifer Cross and 6-3 Middle Lisa Hooey had played their finest matches to date.

Along with 6-1 Middle Rebecca Glancy, they provide Durham Attack a dominating presence in the middle, opening up the outside for hitters Ali Goc, Lauren Skelly and Kellie Downing. Also on the outside is Alysha Johnson, who missed this tournament due to illness.

Team Representative Jim Hooey even got in on the act, winning the 50/50 fundraiser draw!

The girls are going to be busy during the upcoming weeks. January 26th, they play in the 18U Challenge Cup at Humber College, Toronto. February 2nd/3rd each will be at the Canada Prospects Camp in Barrie, on the invite of volleyballprospects.ca. Then February 16-18th they will compete at the Las Vegas Invitational in Nevada with 300+ university coaches expected to be on hand.

Good luck team!!!

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