Cold Day in Barrie but 16U Attack Thaws in Time to Win Gold

The 16U Attack Black Team made the trek to Barrie yesterday to play in the 16U Girls McGregor Cup Premier Divison. The temperature outside may have been -25 at the start of the day both outside and on the court but it ended up pretty HOT on the court by the end of the day.

The first match of the day was against the 9th seeded team, a very talented team out of Forest City who caught Attack completely off guard by being very quick and swift in their execution on the court. Attack found themselves flat footed on a number of occasions throughout the match and had to scramble to come from behind more than once. Despite the slow start Attack was able to come out with a win in two straight sets 25-23 and 25-22 .......... wake up ladies.

Now jolted awake by match 1 the team played the 8th seeded team the Etobicoke Titans and handily put them away 25-12 and 25-11 to finish first in pool play.

With a bye into the quarter finals Attack players turned their attention to some "off court" play. This cohesive and talented bunch of girls put their hidden talents to work as they entertained ( I think?) all during the lunch hour with some pretty decent, not to mention dramatic, displays of singing and dancing. Carrie Underwood and Spice girls eat your heart out !!!! I also have to wonder how many times Lily, Evhan and Jodi have seen High School Musical ......... every word, every action mimicked to perfection .......... scary girls scary but definitely entertaining :-) So to the beat of "tearin' up my heart" the girls went back to the gym for playoffs in the afternoon and more prepared to tear up the court than the dance floor.

Quarter final play matched Attack against the Scarborough Titans who they defeated in two straight sets 25-19, 25-12.

Semi final action pitted Attack against DRVC. This match like the first match of the day caught Attack sitting back on their heels which caused them to fall behind in points numerous times throughout the match. At one point Attack was down 14-3 but like true champions they were able to regroup and come back to win this match in two straight sets 25-23 and 25-22.

With that ole saying in mind "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me", Attack now having been caught twice in one day unprepared and flat footed, retreated to the cafeteria (participated in more singing and dancing) to regroup and refuel. The girls were now more determined than ever to not be made fools of so together with coaches Chris and Darryl the team strategized about their upcoming Gold Medal match against Defensa, the number two seeded team out of Burlington who had recruited some much bigger and stronger players since the previous year. This was the match up that many had waited for all day, the first faceoff between the top two teams in Ontario who battled it out in a very close match in Moncton last year for the National Championships which saw Attack emerge as the 15U Eastern National Champions. Attack now more focused, determined and prepared took the court in the Gold Medal match and showed what they could do. The first set went back and forth as each team found their rhythm on the court and treated spectators to some pretty incredible displays of talent from both sides. Set one went to Attack 25-21. In set two it was Attack all the way from start to finish. Now more awake and in their groove the girls took complete control offensively executing play after play and simultaneously put up an almost impenetrable wall at the net defensively to take the second set 25-14 solidifying their first GOLD medal win of the season.

Overall the day was highly successful, although stressful, and was indeed an eye opener for the Attack girls who had moments of brilliance and moments of blunder which made for a very rough road to the gold medal. It is obvious that many teams have gotten bigger, stronger and better this year and now to remain on top the girls will have to go back to the gym this week and work harder than ever to ensure that they are more prepared next time.

Special recognition for yesterday's tournament has to be given to Lily who has finally found that inner animal within (yes Lily ARRGHHH), to Taylor who could not be stopped at the net (we know of one poor unfortunate player who wishes you would have been blocked) and to Jodi for again passing dimes (you are indeed going to be wealthy by the end of this season) and extra special thanks to all the parents who drove the kids to the tournament, who cheered them on when they were winning or losing and who made me laugh more yesterday than I have in a long time ................ "lad from Plaid" LOL -

See you all Monday

all photos...