Cambrian College women’s volleyball left-side hitter Kelsey Fielding hits the unforgiving floor of the gymnasium full force diving for a loose ball. Her hands smack the court and the slapping sound echoes off the walls.

She hits so fast and hard, Fielding almost kisses the court as the side of her face brushes up against the ground. Fielding grimaces in pain as she springs back up and dusts herself off — she will have a few more bruises when she wakes up in the morning.

It wasn’t a game-deciding point in a key match Fielding was trying to get to by crashing her body into the court. It was a routine practice drill.

In Fielding’s mind, it might as well be the final point in a championship game.
Every practice and every drill is this intense for the Cambrian women’s volleyball team. This is the tone that has been set and expected every time the athletes step on the court, game or practice.

One by one, the athletes on the team hurl themselves through the air to make plays and test their limitations.

This collective mindset has paid off as the Cambrian squad is one of the best in the province and the country, ringing up a perfect 16-0 record in their first three months of the 2011-12 season.

Whether it is sacrificing their bodies or playing hurt or sick, the Cambrian women’s team is there for each other and prepared to go any distance to realize championship glory.

“We are willing to do anything for each other and the team,” third-year middle hitter Emilie Lavoie said. “We have each other’s backs no matter what. It has to be that way. We’re a team. We push each other to do more because we all have the same goal.”

Carving out a 16-0 record doesn’t happen by fluke. The Cambrian women are pouring it on when it comes to the will to win. In practices, they are constantly kept on their toes and being challenged to improve by head coach Dale Beausoleil and assistant coach Michael Margarit. The pace of practice is as swift as a game against the Golden Shield’s biggest rivals. Both the athletes and the coaches demand the furious tempo.

“All of our girls have heart and character,” Beausoleil said. “They have the drive to win. They bring great work ethic and a willingness to learn. It’s been a long process for this team and they believe in each other and good things are happening.”

The Golden Shield is looking to climb back to the top of the perch in women’s OCAA volleyball. The team became a powerhouse in 2001, winning the school’s first provincial gold in the sport. In a five-year span, Cambrian women won three OCAA gold medals and also collected silver and bronze.

The last few years have all been about building and the athletes are eager to get the team back to the top.

“We have shown we can be one of the top teams in the province,” fourth-year setter Jillian Shell said. “We are proving we can compete with any college. We surprise people when we play,” she added. “Other teams have to learn to respect us. We feel we have earned it. Every team has to bring their A game to beat us.”

The Cambrian team features a heavy dose of Greater Sudbury born and trained players. It is the core of the program and the engine that currently drives it forward. The Sudbury players are playing key roles and minutes. They are also regarded as some of the best players in the province.

Left-side hitter Shawna Metcalf is the leading OCAA scorer with 240 points. Fielding is second with 225 points. No one else is even close.

The Sudbury flavour is making a difference and Beausoleil tipped his proverbial cap to the female volleyball system in place in the city.

“The majority of our team is made up of Sudbury girls, so they have a huge impact,” Beausoleil said. “If we didn’t have our Sudbury girls, we wouldn’t have a team. Obviously, the girls’ volleyball program overall in Sudbury is strong. We have strong high school programs and a strong club system. These two elements have worked great and definitely developed the girls.”

Fielding is a product of the Sudbury female volleyball system. She said she is grateful for the experience because it prepared her for the tough haul of post-secondary athletics.

“Sudbury has great coaches and they dedicate a lot of time to kids and young players,” Fielding said. “It’s unreal and it’s amazing how good they can help us become. I really owe it to Sudbury coaches for who I am today as a player. A lot of Sudbury girls can say the same thing.”

With the playoffs in sight, the Cambrian Golden Shield are poised to realize their potential. Many veterans have been competing together for the last four years and it has led to this moment: A serious shot at another provincial championship banner.

“I think we can win gold,” Fielding said. “I have that much confidence in what we can do as a team.”

Posted by Laurel Myers