Chill U14 girls outplayed at McGregor Cup

The Northern Chill U14 Girls were at least somewhat aware of the higher-end competition that would be provided competing in McGregor Cup — Championship Central play last month.

By the end of their day in Mississauga, they were fully aware.

The Chill dropped both matches in pool play to start the day, falling 19-25, 11-25 to the Oakville Thunder and 13-25, 16-25 to Mountain Volleyball Club (Hamilton) Black.

Playing a crossover game against the Aurora Storm Typhoon, the locals were bounced 9-25, 12-25, battling the team that would eventually emerge as gold-medal winners. Despite the setbacks, the Chill persevered, stopping the Barrie Elites 25-16, 23-25, 15-8 in consolation-round play.

One final consolation game awaits, as the Sudbury crew attempted to avoid relegation back to Trillium competition, up against Oakville for a second time. The improvement in the Chill was noticeable, though it was not enough to avoid being handed 18-25, 23-25 losses by the Thunder.

The team would settle for a seventh-place tie with the Richmond Hill Thundercats and will now prepare for their final Ontario Volleyball Association event before provincials on the weekend of Feb. 22.

The 2013-2014 edition of the U14 Chill team features Alison LaBrash, Becca Hopkins, Brooke Smith, Christina Rorison, Kayla Murray, Kayley Hancharyk, Lexi Johnson, Marissa Beeson, Mikaela Either, Mikaela Richter, Natasha Gervais, Samantha McGrath and coaches Eric Bacon (head coach), Glenn Murray and Danielle Marshall.