In three years the Peterborough Thunder Volleyball program has tripled in size and made a name for itself at the provincial rep level.

For the first time the Thunder’s U16 girls side was promoted to play in the Championship Division and hosted the Ontario East Challenge Cup, against 10 other teams, at St. Peter’s Secondary School Saturday.

While the Thunder struggled in terms of wins and losses, posting a 1-9 record, it was another sign of the club’s progress just to compete at that level.

The Thunder started three years ago with 60 house league players and two regional rep teams. Last year they added two rep teams and now have 185 players through house league and rep.

“This team has medalled every year at the provincials,” said Thunder U16 coach Mike Belsey. “They won gold in Division 2 two years ago. We medalled last year at U15 with a silver in Division 2. Our objective this year is to be Division 1. We’re ranked 40th in Ontario right now out of 65 to 70 teams. We’re going up.”

John Lynch, a teacher and volleyball coach at St. Peter’s, founded the Thunder when he saw a need for rep volleyball in the area. He said top high school players were travelling out of town to play in the Ontario Volleyball Association. He’s recruited Belsey, Russ Cones, Kim Fitzgerald and Jessie Shank to help coach four rep girls teams at U14, U15, U16 and U17.

Get the full story from Mike Davies, Peterborough Examiner

Volleyball fans could argue who the better player was but John Child and Mark Heese individual skills are secondary to their accomplishments as a team. Together they raised the popularity of the sport of beach volleyball in Canada with their strong play at the Olympics, on the FIVB World Tour and domestically on the Labatt Beach Pro Tour. Their most memorable victory was a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. Child and Heese are also the only Canadian team to win a gold medal at an FIVB event (Berlin Germany, 1996). The have also won seven Canadian National titles as a team.

OVA: Years of playing volleyball?
John: 15 Years Beach, 10 years Indoor, I played club for the Scarborough Solars and High School at Midland Avenue Collegiate in Scarborough.

OVA: Why did you start playing Beach?
John: A friend of mine got me into. I was enjoying indoor, after the season ended in the spring he suggested I play some beach. Eventually we were playing 3-4 times a week at the Balmy Beach Club.

OVA: What do you like most about Beach Volleyball?
John: You have a direct say in the outcome of a game, you are in on every play. You come up with your own strategies, not just playing a role on a bigger team.

John still enjoys training and playing with some of the top players in Ontario. Recently he transferred into a coaching role at Havergal College and with his club program, Leaside Volleyball Club.

OVA: What are some of the challenges transferring from an athlete to a coach?
John: Giving up the competition, you still compete as a coach but you take away that direct impact on the match. You can’t get out there and do it yourself. Giving that up is not an easy thing to do.

OVA: What are the advantages to indoor athletes who play beach volleyball?
John: A more well rounded game. A fantastic hitter won’t get to hit on the beach, and the world’s best setter will do a lot of hitting. The other team is trying to expose your weaknesses therefore you need to work on your weaknesses. Beach gives you various skills instead of being specialized.

OVA: What message would you give to any young beach athlete wanting to play for the National Team?
John: Get out there and play and enjoy it, you can’t put in too many hours. I’m a big believe in you won’t do anything well if you don’t enjoy doing it.

Volleyball continues to grow in popularity every year in Ontario and Canada. Volleyball Canada and the OVA have made some big strides for our National team, including the hiring of our National Team coach Lennard Krapp and partnering with Beach Blast and the Canadian Sport Centre to create a National Beach Volleyball Practice Centre in Ontario.

OVA: Where do you see Beach in Canada going in the next 5 years?
John: Volleyball Canada’s goals are more focused on 2016 than now. Their focus is not on a short term plan, they are trying to develop younger athletes. The program may suffer in the next few years with the hope of developing better athletes in 2016.

OVA: If you could change one thing about our sport what would it be?
John: The biggest thing to improve beach in Canada is the development of a solid National Tour. Not just an International event, teams need to compete on a regular basis, so do coaches. Sponsors need a venue to promote their products. A tour fills all the needs for beach. The number one thing is to develop athletes every weekend. Teams traveling internationally are only in qualifiers for the most part, they need to play more competitive matches on a consistent basis to improve at a quick rate.

OVA: Best memory from playing?
John: Standing on the podium in Atlanta with Mark. Not a lot of people get to do that, it was certainly a highlight of my life. The Berlin victory, standing on top of the podium was also a satisfying moment. The hole journey of playing and traveling with Mark, going through ups and downs and seeing a lot of different countries while being able to compete, that whole journey was the highlight.

We would like to thank John Child for all of his help with this article. We wish him the best of luck with Havergal and Leaside VC this season.

If you would like to recommend someone for PROfiles please contact Josh Nichol
jnichol@ontariovolleyball.org | 416-426-7233

13U Markham-Stoufville Stingers

Bronze, silver and now gold. Where do the 13U Markham-Stouffville Stingers go next?
This first year team is off to a great start. A few of the girls have played together on their school team, but for the most part this group of energetic, athletic girls is playing together for the first time.
An instant bonding between the girls has them playing as a team but also as friends with everyone encouraging and supporting one another.
No  one is to blame when they lose, and no one is to solo if they win. The 13U Stingers play as a team. And they play well.

Their first OVA tournament saw them win a silver medal. In their second, where they played up at the 14U level, they went undefeated in all matches leading up to the semis, and came home with the bronze. And most recently, at the 13U McGregor Cup in Etobicoke, they finally came away with a well earned Gold.

Coach Mike Lynch, who juggles many volleyballs in the air all at once, not only coaches the 13U Markham-Stouffville Stinger girls, but also coaches three very successful Legacy Public School teams. Assisted by Nicole Mackinnon, the duo have successfully moulded the twelve players into a strong volleyball team.

The team of Alexa Torrington, Alyssa Harding, Erin Lee, Jaime Fox, Janeane Aranas, Jenna Aranas, Katerina Dimov, Kelsey Fuchs, Lauryn Renzella, Monda Shokri, Rhyena Miller and Sarah Ali, have a loud and proud fan base of very supportive parents and family.
So back to the question, where do the 13U Markham-Stouffville Stingers go next? The answer. North Bay for the February 13th Challenge Cup.
Good luck girls!

story and photo submitted

The fifth-year volleyball player from Ajax made history in January, becoming the all-time kills leader in Lords women’s volleyball history with 421. Her mark passed the previous top total of Erin Smith, who had 417.

Durham’s captain set the new mark Sunday January 23, but the Lords came out on the wrong end of a five-set marathon against the Cambrian Golden Shield, 3-2 with set scores of 25-19, 28-26, 23-25, 12-25 and 13-15.

Heading into the match, Durham had won seven straight games and 21 consecutive sets.

Doris, meanwhile, in addition to becoming the  new block leader, moved into fourth spot on the Ontario College Athletic Association’s all-time scoring list with 706, passing RMC’s Claire  Bramma, who had 705.

Learn more NewsDurhamRegion.com

17U Etobicoke Wildcats McGregor Cup silver medalists

The Etobicoke Wildcats Volleyball Club has been primarily a girls club for the last couple of years — things got a little different this year. This is the first year the club has expanded to the boys market beginning with a very exciting to watch 17U Boys squad. Head Coach Michael Wahbi, a teacher at Bishop Allen Academy and Assistant Coach at York University says: “The team has a tremendous amount of heart, character and resiliency — other teams, coaches and officials never know what to expect when the boys step on to the court.”

The boys first tournament was a heart breaker as they fell short in semi-final action. This past weekend at the McGregor Cup Challenge the boys did a marvelous job in pool play, finishing a top their pool granting them a bye to the semi-final. The Wildcats took on another new squad in the Element Volleyball Club –  the Wildcats served tough and managed to pull out a two set victory.

After a very long day, the boys entered the final against a very well coached Niagara Rapids team — the Wildcats fell short in the first set losing 26-24 and couldn’t recover in the second set losing 25-22.

The club as a whole is very impressed with the silver medal showing and looks forward to upcoming excitement that this new team brings to Ontario volleyball.

Michael Wahbi

story/photo submitted

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At the Pan Ams, Canada must finish in the top-two. To make the world championships would be a huge step for the squads after falling short in their bids to make the Paralympic Games in 2008. So far, preparations are going well according to Kerry MacDonald of Calgary, the disabled programs coordinator for Volleyball Canada.

Successful training camps were held in December and January in Calgary and two more are set for Edmonton for February 19-21 and February 26-28. The Canadian men’s team features new head coach Ian Halliday of Calgary. He takes over from Larry Matthews, who was coaching both national squads and will now focus solely on the women’s team.

Get the full story from VC

Beach Volleyball is a rather unique sport whereby coaches cannot coach or be directly involved in the competitions. Therefore coaches need to prepare their athletes even more to be independent, mentally tough and possess the ability to problem solve themselves during matches. As a result, coaches sometimes do not receive or even expect recognition for their team’s accomplishments. We felt the need to promote one coach, Hernan Human, because of his commitment to the growth of the sport and his love of competition.

Hernan is best known for coaching Canada’s most successful Beach duo John Child and Mark Heese at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics and on the World Tour. Hernan currently runs one of the best beach clubs in Canada, Elite Beach Volleyball Club. The club is well known for player development and has top players in several age divisions.

OVA: Best memory from the World Tour?
Hernan: Winning in Berlin, 1996 (the only 1st place ever for Canada) with John and Mark: the “guys.”

OVA: Best memory from the Olympic Games?
Hernan: The last point of John blocking against Portugal for the bronze medal is still quite clear in my mind.

OVA: Why did you start playing Beach?
Hernan: Because in Chile during the summer was the fun thing to do for volleyball players.

OVA: How/Why did you start coaching?
Hernan: I started coaching very early in my playing career out of need: we did not have a coach.

OVA: What were some of the challenges you experienced transferring from an athlete to a coach?
Hernan: That you think because you have played the sport you know how to run and organize practices.

Hernan has the reputation of being a beach volleyball coach, but he is a high level coach in both Indoor and Beach. He was the head coach of the York University Lions Women’s Team and is currently an Assistant with the York Men’s Team. Hernan and Merv Moser coached with the 2009 Provincial Silver Medalist Aurora Storm.

OVA: What are the advantages to indoor athletes who play beach volleyball?
Hernan: Improved ball control, and practicing all the skills.

OVA: What do you like most about Beach Volleyball?
Hernan: The ability to have full control over the outcome of the game. The ability to have a great impact over the outcome. The opportunity to have the fate of the game fully in your hands.

OVA: Where do you see Beach in Canada going in the next 5 years?
Hernan: With the changes we are witnessing (a serious National program with top coaching), I expect Canada to be back on the international podium consistently.

OVA: What message would you give to any young beach athlete wanting to play for
the National Team?
Hernan: The most important one is to follow their passion. If they are determined to follow their passion, the next one is to pay attention to all the factors that influence performance outside the obvious ones (skill development and tactical knowledge) such as nutrition, strength training, specific sand jump training, specific conditioning for beach volleyball, and mental training.

OVA: If you could change one thing about our sport what would it be?
Hernan: I would create a beach league as most countries in the world. I would create an international FIVB stop. I would create training centres all over the country. Did you say one thing? – lol

OVA: What advice would you give to someone starting their coaching career?
Hernan: Volunteer and work with a good coach and learn. Remember that mentoring is the most efficient way to learn how to coach. Attend clinics/seminars. Study the game. Learn about people and how they learn.

We would like to thank Hernan for his help with this article and for all of his hard work growing the sport in Ontario and Canada. If you would like to recommend someone for PROfiles please contact Josh Nichol | jnichol@ontariovolleyball.org | 416-426-7233

Former Nipissing University Lakers standouts and recent Faculty of Education graduates Laura Hudson and Christina Crozier are doing a lot of teaching these days — and not only in the classroom. The two freshly
minted teachers and their 13U charges picked up their second silver medal of the season at the Ontario Volleyball Association tournament in Barrie this past weekend. The girls went undefeated in pool play and advanced to the finals after a thrilling come from behind semi-final win against the highly skilled Aurora Storm (20-25, 25-23, 17-15).

“The girls really came together as a team this weekend and played some great volleyball”, said Hudson while Crozier added that she was very impressed with their resilient attitude and true grit on and off the court.

Team members include: Back: (L-R) Coach Laura Hudson, Alyssa Randall, Julia Allard, Kristen Moore, Samantha Rota, Coach Christina Crozier. Middle: Zaffia Laplante, Jen Sheehan, Tabitha Tremblay, Jayden Taylor, Kathryne Gribbon, Danielle Clement. Front: Chelsea Cadieux, Danyka Wall.

Photo and story submitted by Ben Hong

McMaster now has sole position of the top spot in the OUA with 22 points off their 11-2 record while Queen’s drops to 10-3 to sit behind 10-1 Western with 20 points.

The home team opened the evening with a 25-23 win but McMaster climbed back on top with two straight wins in the second and third (20-25, 13-25). The Gaels weren’t about to lose a second match to the Marauders this season and battled their way up to win the fourth by three points, 25-22. The Marauders ended Queens’ comeback efforts in the fifth set with a 15-8 win to take the game and sweep their conference schedule against Queen’s this season.

Shawn Bench (Hamilton) was MAC’s scoring leader, recording 19 points off 15 kills, two aces and four solo blocks. Jeremy Groenveld (Welland, Ont.) also contributed 17 points and 11 kills in the win while Ryan Hudson (Wininpeg, MB) had 38 out of the team’s 42 assists.

Joren Zeeman (Cambridge, Ont.) topped the Gaels’ roster with a game high of 25 points and 21 kills.

Source: Charlotte Peer, Athletic Communications.

Soonias serving for his team Almeria, Spain.

Canadian National Volleyball team member Dallas Soonias of Red Deer (Alberta) scored 21 points in a brilliant performance to lead Almeria, Spain to a thrilling five-set victory over Tours, France in the League of Champions action to determine the top pro club in Europe.

The Spanish squad won the match 25-21, 25-12, 16-25, 22-25, 15-13 in  111 minutes. Soonias posted 17 kills and earned four more points on blocks. He ended the first round as the top scorer on his team and is 17th overall averaging 4.21 points per set.

Wednesday’s matches concluded first round play in the 24-team tournament. The top-two teams from each of the six pools gain an automatic berth in the second round.

Soonias wasn’t the only Canadian on the floor in the match. Joshua Howatson of Victoria scored four points for the victors and delivered a sparkling service game. National team teammate Alexandre Gaumont-Casias of Marieville, Que., was once again one of Tours best players with 10 points.
Tours is currently first in the French National League.

After opening the tournament with three consecutive losses, Almeria finishes with a 2-4 record in pool B. Tours had the same record but was awarded third spot in the tie-breaking procedure. Russian pro squad Kazan, at 5-1, and Sofia, Bulgaria at 3-3 were the top-two teams in the pool. The draw for the second round will be held later this week in Luxembourg.

Meanwhile Canadian Daniel Lewis is assuredly headed to the second round with Bled, Slovenia as it placed second in the pool F standings despite a 25-17, 16-25, 25-20, 25-18 loss to Rzeszow, Poland. Bled evened its record at 3-3, good enough for second place.

Check out Volleyball Canada on Facebook. They list live streaming matches on LAOLA1.tv