Returning the bulk of the roster that captured silver medals at the OCAA championships last March, expectations are high as the Cambrian Golden Shield women's volleyball team launched their 2012-2013 campaign with tournament play.

With coaches Dale Beausoleil and Michael Margarit back at the stead, the locals travelled to London over the weekend, settling for silver again after losing to the host team in the event finale.

The Cambrian ladies wasted little time serving notice that they will be a force to be reckoned with this year, posting a record of 3-0 in round robin play on Saturday, and finishing first in the field of six teams.

The Golden Shield opened with a 25-18, 25-9 victory over the St. Clair Saints (Windsor), following up with wins over both the Fanshawe Falcons of London (22-25, 25-15, 15-13) and the Mohawk Mountaineers of Hamilton (25-17, 25-12).

The momentum continued on Sunday as the northern ladies bounced the Seneca Sting of North York (25-21, 25-19) in the semis, earning a spot in the final, opposite the Falcons.

For the second straight time, the teams went to the three-set limit, with Cambrian eventually succumbing 25-13, 11-25 and 12-15. Seneca earned bronze, besting the Georgian Grizzlies of Barrie.

Golden Shield teammates Shawna Metcalf and Stephanie Walker both cracked the tournament all-star team, joining Brandie Ellis and Shelby Charleton of Fanshawe, as well as Georgian's Makenzie Roy. Mallory Limage of Fanshawe was recognized as tournament MVP.

The Cambrian ladies are back in tournament action Oct. 12 and 13, heading to Oakville for the Sheridan Invitational, with league play commencing on Nov. 3 as Seneca visits the Golden Shield.

In other recent news with the women's volleyball team, five players from the 2011-2012 squad were recently honoured as recipients of the CCAA (Canadian Colleges Athletic Association) National Scholars award.

The National Scholar Award is designed to recognize the outstanding academic accomplishments of CCAA student-athletes. To be recognized, a student-athlete must achieve honours standings at their institution in the current academic year.

A total of 779 student-athletes, representing 95 CCAA member-institutions, were awarded the prestigious honour in 2011-12, a testament to their pursuit of academic and athletic excellence.
Cambrian recipients included Deanna Bedard, Sara Charlton, Emilie Lavoie, Adriana Pacitto and Michelle Senecal.