If not for an epic first set semi-final comeback, the Northern Chill Heat Wave would have rounded out their collection of OVA (Ontario Volleyball Association) medals with one of each.

They are, of course, more than okay with missing out.

After having captured gold at a Challenge Cup tournament in January and adding silver at a 16U McGregor Cup playdown in Sudbury a week later, the Heat Wave would earn a second place finish for the second time this year at the 15U McGregor Cup in Uxbridge last weekend.

Seeded eighth (of nine) coming in, the Sudbury girls served notice that they were intent on bettering their pre-event rankings, going six full sets in earning a split in morning pool play.

The Chill downed the KW (Kitchener-Waterloo) Preds Havoc (#2) 26-24, 19-25, 15-7 to start the day but were beaten by MVC (Mountain Volleyball Club) Columbia (#5) from Hamilton, 20-25, 25-12, 7-15.

Quarter-final action did little to slow down the northern crew, sweeping past Titans Cronus from Scarborough, 25-20, 25-12. Things, however, did not look nearly as rosy in their semi-final battle with the Milton Edge Storm (#1), trailing 21-11 at one point and closing the gap to 24-19 with absolutely no margin for error.

With Aviahna Cocchiola reeling off seven tough serves in a row and her teammates intent on not letting anything hit the floor – except, perhaps, for their bodies – the Chill rallied to take the first set 26-24, riding that wave of momentum through to a 25-18 second set win.

The effort took a toll, however, as the Heat Wave could not contain the Durham Rebels Rogue in the final, the Oshawa based reps taking gold with a 25-22, 25-18 scoreline.

Middle Lisa Ngouabe also drew special mention from head coach James Gauvreau, her “cannon of an arm” helping out in key instances allowing the team to vary their attacks nicely.

“We worked on increasing our tempo prior to this tournament, knowing we would see a different pace of play in the Select division - and the team executed this well," noted coach Gauvreau. "We also had to adjust our net presence during game play, positioning more blockers to challenge their big hitters - and once again, our team responded well.”

With the dust settled, Willow Baillargeon, Kylie Breau, Rayen Cabezas, Morgan Gauvreau, Maya Chretien, Luella Circelli, Aviahna Cocchiola, Julia Moulaison, Brinley Evans, Lisa Ngouabe, Naima Bella Tverdal and Sara Labelle are now the proud owners of three OVA medals for the 2024-2025 season, to date.

The team staff of James Gauvreau (head coach), Jason Evans (assistant coach) and team manager Heather Evans will look to keep the girls rolling when the Heat Wave travels to Innisfil for Bugarski Cup play on Sunday, March 2nd.