2003 Nationals

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2003 Nationals - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

May 9 to 11th

The York Region Stingrays departed Toronto on May 7th, 2003 in preparation for a National Title. As the plane landed in Saskatoon, there was a positive vibe in the air that indicated this would be a weekend to remember. Indeed it was.

The boys visited the Soccer facility on Wednesday which would quickly be turned into a volleyball facility starting Friday. Preparation was already beginning as the courts were being set-up. This did not stop the boys from getting used to their new surroundings and use a small ball to play on one of the courts. After talking to the crew at the facility the boys managed to arrange a practice time on Wednesday without any distractions from other teams. The boys utilized this time to familiarize themselves with the facility.

Needless to say, Thursday was another practice day as the boys parents flew in from Toronto. The boys were ready and anxious to play.

Friday came early as a 9:00am match would set the tone for the weekend. The boys did not disappoint the crowd easily defeating the Lakers from Nova Scotia. The second match of the day was against the Alberta team called "Juice". After a close first game the boys rebounded and easily took the second game to win there second match of the day. The third game of the day would be against a team from Winnipeg. The boys came out strong winning the first game handily. The second game was more of a battle and ended with the Stingrays on top.

Having finished at the top of there pool the Stingrays got to sleep in and relax as the next round of pool play would not commence until 3:45 in the afternoon on Saturday. The Stingray boys would be in a tough pool with the number 1 and 2 seed from Alberta and the number one seed from British Columbia. Unfortunately, the boys were delayed in there match against NAVC to start the day. As the match began the boys played a close match with the NAVC team escaping with a close 1st game. The second match was a different story as the boys played catch up for most of the match and ended up dropping the second game. The third match began trading points back and forth with NAVC being a little stronger than the Stingrays and pulling out the third game. The Stingray boys were very dejected to say the least and they knew they had their backs against the wall. There next match would be against the number 1 team from Victoria (eventual silver medalists). The boys came out strong and determined ready to avenge there 1st game loss to NAVC. The Stingray boys played tough volleyball trading points back and forth an managing to pull out a first game win. The second game would be just as tough with the boys playing extremely disciplined and taking the second game. One down and one to go. The last match of the day did not start until 11:00pm. This would be against a tough team from Grand Prairie, Alberta. The boys would play just as tough taking the first set in a closely fought match. The second game did not start off as well. The boys played catch up during the match and trailed at one point 17-11. As they plugged away at the lead the Wolves ran up against a tough jump serve from Brad Girardo. His tough serving, with some timely hits brought the team to an even game. The boys toughed out a 25-23 win and you would have thought they won a gold medal game. The entire team was ecstatic as well as the cheering contingency of parents.

After returning to the hotel at midnight the previous night the road would only get tougher. The boys would play at 10:00am against a tough Kelowna team. The boys played well and managed to pull out a win in the match winning the first two games. A come from behind win in the second game was well deserved. This would set-up a tough semi-final match against the Winnipeg Strike (eventual gold medal winners). After playing a close first game the boys managed to win by two points taking a one game lead. The second game would not be as close as the Winnipeg team was too much for the Stingrays. This would set-up an exciting third game for the right to go to the gold medal game. Unfortunately for the Stingrays they ran out of gas and the Winnipeg Team took the deciding third set. The boys gave all they had but just came up a little short. The boys left the court with the dream of a National Championship a distant memory in their minds. This would set up a bronze medal match between the Stingrays and Winnipeg. The Stingrays came out ready to compete and take the bronze medal. Once again the Stingrays took the first game with a strong effort. The second game started off with the boys trading the early points back and forth, however Winnipeg pulled ahead and proceeded to stay ahead taking the second game. This would set up an eventful third game. The Stingrays did not disappoint. A strong and convincing effort from the start would provide them with the early lead which they would not relinquish. The third game ended with the boys winning 15 to 11 and winning a bronze medal. The boys had set out what they wanted to accomplish, medal in the Nationals. Tears of joy were shed as the team celebrated on the court with Parents and Teammates and Coaches. Having represented Ontario at the Nationals and winning a bronze medal was an incredible achievement. They did it with hard work, dignity and pride. Congratulations to the entire Stingrays Team. You accomplished something that not too many teams if any can talk about. Every tournament that you entered into this year, you won a medal !

Behind every strong team is a Coaching Staff. Without these dedicated individuals week after week and year after year this would not be possible. To Wally, Franco and Carl, Thank You. You have created life long memories that will not be forgotten by these boys (parents included). For many, you have created an environment for them to learn new skills, practice those skills and put those skills to use. This has shown in the development of these individuals year after year. You have taught them to be leaders and to play with dignity and respect. We saw this all season long. Thanks for the memories you have created.

To the parents. I can honestly say that this group is one of the best groups we have ever been with. We have grown over the years and most of all have had the pleasure to watch our children succeed over the past couple of years. We have also built new friendships which will last a lifetime.

Special thanks to the parents who helped feed our boys this weekend and made sure that we all ate well. Thanks to Maureen, Tess, Dascha, Laurie, Christianne.

Special thanks to the Stingray Girls Team for cheering us on and providing support to us all weekend long.


	\| Home \| York Region Stingrays 2003 \| Durham Attack 2002 \| Beach Volleyball 2003 \| Friends \| \| 2003 Nationals \| E-Mail Us \| ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ \| Nationals Pictures, May 7th and 8th \| Nationals Pictures, May 9th \| 2003 Nationals - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan May 9 to 11th The York Region Stingrays departed Toronto on May 7th, 2003 in preparation for a National Title. As the plane landed in Saskatoon, there was a positive vibe in the air that indicated this would be a weekend to remember. Indeed it was. The boys visited the Soccer facility on Wednesday which would quickly be turned into a volleyball facility starting Friday. Preparation was already beginning as the courts were being set-up. This did not stop the boys from getting used to their new surroundings and use a small ball to play on one of the courts. After talking to the crew at the facility the boys managed to arrange a practice time on Wednesday without any distractions from other teams. The boys utilized this time to familiarize themselves with the facility. Needless to say, Thursday was another practice day as the boys parents flew in from Toronto. The boys were ready and anxious to play. Friday came early as a 9:00am match would set the tone for the weekend. The boys did not disappoint the crowd easily defeating the Lakers from Nova Scotia. The second match of the day was against the Alberta team called "Juice". After a close first game the boys rebounded and easily took the second game to win there second match of the day. The third game of the day would be against a team from Winnipeg. The boys came out strong winning the first game handily. The second game was more of a battle and ended with the Stingrays on top. Having finished at the top of there pool the Stingrays got to sleep in and relax as the next round of pool play would not commence until 3:45 in the afternoon on Saturday. The Stingray boys would be in a tough pool with the number 1 and 2 seed from Alberta and the number one seed from British Columbia. Unfortunately, the boys were delayed in there match against NAVC to start the day. As the match began the boys played a close match with the NAVC team escaping with a close 1st game. The second match was a different story as the boys played catch up for most of the match and ended up dropping the second game. The third match began trading points back and forth with NAVC being a little stronger than the Stingrays and pulling out the third game. The Stingray boys were very dejected to say the least and they knew they had their backs against the wall. There next match would be against the number 1 team from Victoria (eventual silver medalists). The boys came out strong and determined ready to avenge there 1st game loss to NAVC. The Stingray boys played tough volleyball trading points back and forth an managing to pull out a first game win. The second game would be just as tough with the boys playing extremely disciplined and taking the second game. One down and one to go. The last match of the day did not start until 11:00pm. This would be against a tough team from Grand Prairie, Alberta. The boys would play just as tough taking the first set in a closely fought match. The second game did not start off as well. The boys played catch up during the match and trailed at one point 17-11. As they plugged away at the lead the Wolves ran up against a tough jump serve from Brad Girardo. His tough serving, with some timely hits brought the team to an even game. The boys toughed out a 25-23 win and you would have thought they won a gold medal game. The entire team was ecstatic as well as the cheering contingency of parents. After returning to the hotel at midnight the previous night the road would only get tougher. The boys would play at 10:00am against a tough Kelowna team. The boys played well and managed to pull out a win in the match winning the first two games. A come from behind win in the second game was well deserved. This would set-up a tough semi-final match against the Winnipeg Strike (eventual gold medal winners). After playing a close first game the boys managed to win by two points taking a one game lead. The second game would not be as close as the Winnipeg team was too much for the Stingrays. This would set-up an exciting third game for the right to go to the gold medal game. Unfortunately for the Stingrays they ran out of gas and the Winnipeg Team took the deciding third set. The boys gave all they had but just came up a little short. The boys left the court with the dream of a National Championship a distant memory in their minds. This would set up a bronze medal match between the Stingrays and Winnipeg. The Stingrays came out ready to compete and take the bronze medal. Once again the Stingrays took the first game with a strong effort. The second game started off with the boys trading the early points back and forth, however Winnipeg pulled ahead and proceeded to stay ahead taking the second game. This would set up an eventful third game. The Stingrays did not disappoint. A strong and convincing effort from the start would provide them with the early lead which they would not relinquish. The third game ended with the boys winning 15 to 11 and winning a bronze medal. The boys had set out what they wanted to accomplish, medal in the Nationals. Tears of joy were shed as the team celebrated on the court with Parents and Teammates and Coaches. Having represented Ontario at the Nationals and winning a bronze medal was an incredible achievement. They did it with hard work, dignity and pride. Congratulations to the entire Stingrays Team. You accomplished something that not too many teams if any can talk about. Every tournament that you entered into this year, you won a medal ! Behind every strong team is a Coaching Staff. Without these dedicated individuals week after week and year after year this would not be possible. To Wally, Franco and Carl, Thank You. You have created life long memories that will not be forgotten by these boys (parents included). For many, you have created an environment for them to learn new skills, practice those skills and put those skills to use. This has shown in the development of these individuals year after year. You have taught them to be leaders and to play with dignity and respect. We saw this all season long. Thanks for the memories you have created. To the parents. I can honestly say that this group is one of the best groups we have ever been with. We have grown over the years and most of all have had the pleasure to watch our children succeed over the past couple of years. We have also built new friendships which will last a lifetime. Special thanks to the parents who helped feed our boys this weekend and made sure that we all ate well. Thanks to Maureen, Tess, Dascha, Laurie, Christianne. Special thanks to the Stingray Girls Team for cheering us on and providing support to us all weekend long.