As their name might suggest, the Northern Chill 18U Avalanche unleashed a barrage out of the gate as the team contested their provincial championships last month in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Unfortunately, that momentum dissipated over time – and while that might be appreciated for those in the pathway of an actual avalanche, it proved a little disappointing in the context of this tournament. That said, a season that was highlighted by a full set of medals – gold, silver and bronze – will always carry very special memories.

The Sudbury crew opened the Ontario playdowns like gangbusters, going three for three on day one with victories over the Northumberland Breakers from Cobourg (25-20, 25-17), Thousand Islands VC in Brockville (25-21, 25-22) and the Wildcats Lynx from Markham (25-18, 25-22).

Still seeded second in their Division 4 bracket of 16 teams, the Avalanche were slowed on day two by both the Bluewater Ballistix Bombers from Grey Bruce / Owen Sound (18-25, 18-25) and Lanark United Magna (26-24, 16-25, 7-15), but held things together to rebound against the Toronto-West Kiwis, 25-19, 25-12.

Bumped down slightly to fifth place for the Tier I quarter-finals, the Northern Chill would go toe to toe with the Maverick Palominos before succumbing in three sets, 25-23, 20-25, 13-15.

Concluding their two year journey for the bulk of this team (with some athletes part of the Chill family for four years or more) were Arianna Thibodeau, Olivia Lascelle, Avery West, Ella Dionne, Alaina Marolt, Isabella Deschenes, Emily Rocha, Caroline Reichle, Danika Bouffard, Jayda McKee, Emma Mathieu, head coach Adam Marolt, assistant coach Megan Merrylees and manager Francine Dionne.