The last of the OVA (Ontario Volleyball Association) pre-Christmas tournaments would see the most senior Northern Chill teams in action, with the young men ranked fourth entering their event and exiting just a single placement lower, finishing fifth.

Competing in Challenge Cup action at Canada Games Park in Thorold (one of the legacy projects from the 2022 Canada Summer Games), the lads under the direction of head coach James Schwyer took the morning to work out the kinks, dropping four straight sets, albeit three in very close fashion.

The Northern Chill 18U Glaciers fell to the Maverick Stallions from Ottawa (23-25, 22-25) and to the Maverick Mustangs (22-25, 13-25), but kept their medal hopes alive with a 25-19, 25-23 sweep of the host Niagara Rapids in a play-in playoff match.

A quarter-final battle with Pakmen Gold from Mississauga produced some inspired volleyball for the Sudbury reps, losing 17-25, 25-21, 7-15.

A rematch with the Stallions in the fight for fifth place would see the Glaciers prevail 25-21, 13-25, 16-14 as the team of Addison Denomme, Wesley Gibson, Logan Gilpin, Max Gilroy, Jack Jones, Justin Lafontaine, Ethan Leblanc, Riley Payzant, Hayden Quevillon, Jeremy Rhéaume, Olivier Tremblay and Macarthur Young hit the road with a win under their belts.