Within the context of the standard nine-team OVA (Ontario Volleyball Association) tournament set-up, finishing in second place in Pool “A” is akin to drawing the short end of the stick. Where 2B and 2C will face each other directly in a quarter-final match, the middle of the pool ranking in the “A” troika means a date with the 1st place team in Pool C, with medal hopes dependent on a playoff upset.

Thankfully, the Northern Chill 16U Blackout girls delivered at the Bugarski Cup – Trillium Green playdown held earlier this month at Laurentian University. The Espanola-based Chill crew went on the capture their second bronze medals of the year, despite not taking top spot in morning preliminary play in their bracket.

Playing more or less at home, the Blackout opened with a straight set win over the North Bay Jr Lakers Vortex (25-14, 25-19), but lost out in three to the Orillia Suns Fire, 25-23, 12-25, 6-15.

Battling the unbeaten Maverick Roulette in the round of eight, the Sudbury squad bounced the favourites from the nation’s capital in straight sets, 26-24, 25-19. The Chill girls then came ever so close to ensuring themselves no worse than a second place finish, edged out at the end by the Ottawa Fusion Red in the semis, 25-21, 23-25, 13-15.

The talented northern team demonstrated their resilience in their final outing, shaking off that tough loss and securing a third place final – and some hardware – thanks to a 25-20, 25-22 victory over the Southern Shores Riptide from Midland – Penetang.

Returning north with their second bronze medals of the 2025-2026 season are Hannah Donnelly, Lexi Fisher, Savannah King, Kate Neufeld, Anna Olsen, Arabella Otosquaiob, Amber Brizuela, Jada Brohart, Selena Chiblow Carpenter and Cadence Piché, with Terri-Lynn Chiblow (assistant coach) and manager Laurie Donnelly joining head coach Nick Hannah on the team staff.