ATTACK BLACK IS BACK

The 16U Black team travelled to Brock University this weekend to participate in the 16U Girls Bugarski Cup, Premier Division. This would be the first tournament, in their own age group, in two years that the team had not entered the tournament as the number one seed and that factor alone ignited a spark within the team to regain their #1 ranking and secure them the coveted distinction as the number one seed heading into Provincials.

The first pool play match of the day saw Attack playing the 16U Mavericks team from Ottawa. The first set of this match caught Attack off guard as the Mavericks team came at them with a huge attack and some pretty great defense. Attack however quickly adjusted, found their rhythm, and soon responded in kind with their hard hitting offense and their strong defense which carried into the second set and saw Attack taking the match in two straight sets 25-19 and 25-10 .

Next up was the IMPACT team from Georgetown. This match would prove to be a bit of sleeper with IMPACT not putting forth anything that would challenge the team. Scores in this match were 25-14 and 25-14.

The crossover match would have Attack taking on the only 15U team in the tournament the 15U Mavericks from Ottawa. This young team is a very good athletic team that I am sure will do very well in the coming years but on this day they were no match for the bigger, stronger Attack team as they lost 25-8 and 25-8.

Semi final play matched Attack against Ching and his much improved and talented Scarborough Falcons team. In the first set Attack quickly fell behind as the Falcons stormed ahead point after point. Attack, like they have shown time and time again, were able to dig down deep and come back to win the first set 25-19 and then quickly took the second set handily 25-10.

The much anticipated rematch, the showdown, the best of three, the decider ............... whatever people were calling it was the GOLD medal match up between Attack and Defensa, a very talented team from Burlington and the only team to have defeated the Attack Team in the past two years. This match had a whole lot on the line for both teams. This would be the final match of the season to determine who would be the number one ranked team for the Ontario Provincials. Set one saw Attack fall behind time and time again by one or two points and then having to play catch-up. They managed to come back and occasionally went ahead by a few points but were not able to maintain that lead and ended up losing the first set 23-25. The next set would be the exact opposite with Attack leading most of the set with Defensa coming back to tie the score time and time again. This set went to Attack 27-25. The third set would now become court one's final battle ground. Attack quickly took the lead and were ahead at the switch 8-6. Attack, now more focused, delivered some very strategic kills along with their improved defensive play went on to take the final set 15-11 to regain their Ontario #1 ranking.

This tournament has taught the team a new lesson. It does not matter what the competition is like on the other side of the net. What counts is the competition that you find within yourself during every point of every match. If you elevate your personal level of competitiveness in every match you will be much better prepared to take on stronger opponents when the time comes. Be the best player you can be at all times not just for yourself but for your team......... always challenge yourself.

WELL DONE LADIES and congratulations

P.S. Having scouted the parent's volleyball prowess during a lull in the competition as they challenged some of the girls to a friendly game I would say BEWARE ....... if you laugh too hard you can get some painful stitches in your sides :-) y parents

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