It was an extremely long day, but certainly a rewarding one for the U15 Black Waterdown Raiders girls’ volleyball team as the squad hit the court to compete in the Challenge Cup last month.

The event, held at Stouffville Secondary School, saw the Waterdown team earn a bronze medal for their efforts.

The tournament hosted 11 teams in the Trillium Zone B. In each game, both teams battled for every point in an attempt to gain a sizeable lead, which proved to be a challenge.

Facing the Etobicoke Titans, the Black Raiders kept their eyes on the gold-medal prize during an intense match that resulted in a final score of 26-28.

“The girls worked hard all day and, despite a shortened roster due to injuries, showed great endurance as evidence by the fact that they captured the bronze medal at 8:30 p.m. – a grueling 10 hours after they began their first match,” said the team’s coach, Shannon Donnelly.

Every player was on her game that day, despite a very cramped gymnasium.

With no formal bleachers in place, spectators took their seats along the sidelines of each of the three volleyball courts, making the retrieval of some balls along the lines very difficult, and almost impossible.

Nevertheless, the Waterdown Raiders maintained their focus throughout the day.

At the Bugarski Cup Trillium Zone B tournament last month, the girls captured a gold medal. Their final match against Toronto West demonstrated their cohesiveness as a team with a lead of more than 10 points in each game.

The team includes coach Donnelly, assistant coach Jen Paradise-McCurdy and players Lexi Karry, Sarah Millar, Alisha Donnelly, Meagan Handy, Taylor Glen, Meghan Holmes, Brooke Phillips, Meagan Jude and Rachel Elliot.

-Submitted by Laurel Karry