KNIGHTS VC - 17U's Meet National Champs in First Tournament Final

17U's Meet National Champs in First Tournament Final

October 28, 2009 - Pembroke

On October 24, 2009, at Fellowes High School, the Knights Volleyball Club 17U Girls competed in the first tournament of their indoor volleyball season. They played host to 9 other teams travelling to Pembroke from Northern and Eastern Ontario, and Western Quebec, all driving long hours to play against quality competition. “No one will drive here unless there is something in it for them,” said Club President and Coach, Matthew Monych. “Pembroke is out of the way for most, so to attract such a talented group of teams speaks to our 17U Girls team reputation.”

The tournament started with the Knights VC 17U Girls taking on the Lanark County Wings. This was the first match of the tournament season for the Knights and they had some major line-up changes from the previous season. The girls were stunned by the Wings in the first set as they were out hustled and lost 21-25. The second set was a much, much different story. The Knights proved to be a strong team as they dismantled the Wings methodically on their way to a 25-14 set win. With point differential taken into account, the Knights had won the first match of the day. The second match was against a much stronger team. The girls played a very talented Ottawa Fusion team that was well coached and organized. The team seemed to be working together well as they took the first set with some thunderous attacks and big time blocks, 25-13. The second set was much tighter the whole way through. The Knights had to battle from a deficit to take the set in thrilling fashion, 26-24.

The third match of the round robin section of the tournament for the Knights was relatively easy. The Soaring Eagles from Akwesasne, had little preparation time before this tournament and it showed. Our girls were on fire and unfortunately, the Soaring Eagles were on the wrong end of a 25-9, 25-15 match. With 3 matches won, the Knights were tied for first place in the pool and about to break that tie by playing the Libellules “B” from Joliette, QC. The Knights played a great match. The first set was a complete team effort and the Knights controlled it the whole way. In the second set, the Knights found themselves in a 1-8 deficit before clawing back into the set and eventually winning it. With the 25-20, 25-21 win, the Knights had a bye to the semi-final.

In the semi-final the Knights faced the Griffons from Gatineau, QC. A team that had been playing very well and walked over their opponent in the previous quarter-final. The Knights were focused and determined and put the pedal down right from the get go in the first set. The Knights pounded attack after attack and forced the Griffons to tip instead of spike the ball because the Knights block was so effective. The first set was over with quickly, 25-17. The second set saw the Knights begin the exact opposite way as the first. The Griffons went on an 11-0 run to start the game. In a rally point match, that is a huge hole to dig out of. The Knights kicked, scratched, and clawed their way back into the match, but eventually fell 23-25. That forced a third set to 15 to decide the match. The set went back and forth, but in the end the Knights defence won them the match with two critical stops at the end of the set (15-13).

The final was up next against the reigning National Champions, Libellules de Joliette “A”. The match was built up through the entire tournament and finally, a rematch from Nationals only 5 short months ago. Unfortunately, the Knights 17U Girls didn’t get the memo and dropped the match in straight sets. The Knights made the eventual champs work, but just could not put it all together to be victorious.

The Knights finish with a big 2nd place in the first tournament of the season and begin their quest toward Provincial and National Championships. A big congrats goes out to all of the girls on the Knights VC 17U Girls for their efforts. A special thank you to Angela Green, Shelley Sypes, and the Knights VC 15U Girls for doing such a great job running the tournament.

GO KNIGHTS GO !