Lightning End Season Dancing At Nationals
Despite not medaling at Nationals the Lightning’s head coach says the two year volleyball ride is a journey worth remembering - a ride that now includes dancing with a team from quebec
Perhaps it wasn’t the major victory on a national stage but the Thunder Creek Volleyball Club (TCVC) 15U ladies Lightning team had the time lives at Nationals in Regina over the weekend.
The girls ended up losing their semi final match to the Alberta based team AStarz.
The Lightning captured the first set, then lost the second set and falling just short in the third and deciding set.
The Lightning were the first team to win a set against the AStarz who had not lost in pool play. The AStarz would go on to capture the gold medal in Tier 7.
The Lightning end their season in the top 50 percent of Saskatchewan club teams who competed at Nationals.
The Lightning team at Volleyball Canada’s ladies 15U nationals in Regina on Sunday - submitted photo
The Lightning who played with a short bench during the medal round on Sunday still had the time of their lives according to head coach Malinda Streuby.
“In the end we were in the top half of Saskatchewan teams,” Streuby said the Lightning had reached their goal of playing competitively against the best 15U volleyball teams in Canada.
“It was a pleasure coaching this crew through to the end of the season: we had some last minute roster changes, shortly before Nationals, and as a coaching staff we remained committed to filling these spots to allow the team to continue to complete in this much anticipated premier event,” she said.
Lightning players dance with members of a Quebec team while warming up to play - submitted photo
Streuby said “much thanks goes out to these gals” and the coaches “were so incredibly proud of this group of girls, for playing with such incredible intensity with a short bench, and a new court system, while finishing a solid season on a high note.”
“But most importantly, the team that walked off the court today, for the last time this season, showed us how strong, kind and compassionate these players are to each other, their coaches and to each of the teams they encountered.”
A major highlight for the Lightning was not on the court but behind the scenes when they danced during warmups on Sunday with a team from Quebec.
“Sport is about lifelong relationships with each other, with a game we love and with those we share the little moments with. That’s a memory that will last a lifetime,” Streuby said.
Members of a Quebec team (left) and the Lightning pose for a picture - submitted photo
Streuby said the last two years have been quite the ride for the Lightning team.
“It is not always the win that dictates the success of the season, but the integrity of the players that shines through during adversity. This team certainly will remain close in our hearts as we hold the many memories: from hitting the provincial circuit during COVID, to finding many successes at tournaments int the past two years, and by capping it with a team best finishing tenth overall at provincials this year, while finalizing the hard work and solid memories with a show that saw us landing in the top third of the nation at nationals.”
“Our team motto has been “start strong… finish strong”. These girls have developed strong skills, relationships and connections beyond volleyball,” Streuby said.
