Sudbury might not be home to some of the best beaches in the country but that hasn't stopped the volleyball talent that are practitioners of playing in the sand to help the sport gain a solid foothold in the nickel city.
That is saying something when one considers just how difficult it is to gain any kind of solid footing in the sport of beach volleyball.
"It's different hitting in beach with my approach and stuff - but jumping in the sand helps strengthen your legs," noted 15 year-old middle Cassidy Warren, the only local female selected to the Team Ontario Beach program that was practicing last week in London.
"I feel the difference when I get back on the court," added the grade 10 student at Lockerby Composite. "And I learn to read the court more so that I am able to hit more spots and score more."
Warren is being joined at the camp by Northern Chill coach Kevin McKee as well as clubmate Olivier Tremblay, who was selected for the boys program.
For as much as she is used to competing in the OVA circuit with her little sister (Khloe) at her side, the setting of the Team Ontario environment requires a little extra effort.
"It's about communicating and adjusting to playing beside someone different, getting used to their style," explained Warren. For better or worse, that is not a primary focus when the siblings are reunited.
"It can sometimes be aggravating," said Warren with a laugh. "But it's good. I think we understand how each other plays and we work well together as a team. We get to practice a lot together so we know each other's playing style and stuff."
Meanwhile, a number of the Chill athletes kept busy in June, largely in northern Ontario through Olivier Tremblay did team up with Jérémy Rhéaume to capture a tournament at Ashbridges Bay in Toronto, an event that would have included many of the top teams in the province.
Following are other results from June:
June 7th in Sudbury13U Boys - gold - Isaac McKee / Otto Triff
13U Boys - silver - Jaxon Bignucolo / Antonio Sonntag
13U Girls - gold - Ellie-Mae Clarridge / Adele Gervais
13U Girls - silver - Avery Wilson / Abigail Richer
15U Girls - gold - Morgan Gauvreau / Julia Moulaison
15U Girls - silver - Aviahna Cocchiola / Kylie Breau
June 8th in Sudbury
14U Girls - gold - Eliza Rybiak / Sophie Marshall
14U Girls - silver - Emma DeMarchi / Addison Peplinski
16U Girls - gold - Lara Gray / Mina-Emily McCoshen
16U Girls - silver - Harlym Triff / Malin Brunette
June 21st in North Bay
13U Girls - gold - Ellie-Mae Claridge / Adele Gervais
15U Girls - gold - Aviahna Cocchiola / Kylie Breau
17U Girls - silver - Josslyne Ouellette / Ella Tourville
June 22nd in North Bay
14U Girls - gold - Emma DeMarchi / Addison Peplinski
14U Girls - silver - Makenzie Switzer / Ivana Coluzzi
16U Girls - gold - Harlym Triff / Malin Brunette
