Virden’s Jordyn Bradbury helped the Cats 14-and-under Gold club volleyball team win the Division 1 Tier 1 girls’ national championship.
“Winning gold at nationals meant a lot to me because I got to spend that entire year with my friends and make lots of memories,” she said. “Being the first Cats team to ever win gold in provincials and then go on to win gold at nationals is a great experience and such a great accomplishment for all of us girls. We could not have done this without the dedication and encouragement from our coaches and family.”
In Richmond, the Cats beat B.C.’s T2BV Crew 2-1 (25-20, 20-25, 15-11) in the finals to claim gold. The team is made up of two players from Hamiota (Ella Gurr and Reanna Gage), a player from Shoal Lake, from Boissevain and six girls from Brandon. This season the Cats compiled a 41-4 record.
“There are many factors that contribute to this success including great skill, athletic ability and very significantly great personalities that get along and understand the value of working at their sport,” said head coach Michael DeGroot. “There have been nerves in games but overall they keep their composure better than most I’ve seen.”
This was Bradbury’s first season with the Cats volleyball team. DeGroot said her fiery competitiveness is matched by a “super friendly personality that allows her to get along with everyone on the team.” Agile and athletic, Bradbury fit into the Cats 6-3 system as a hitter.
“Jordyn is a key person on this team that improves our defence incredibly,” DeGroot said. “Her speed and court awareness separate her from most players her age. She also has a difficult serve to handle and can potentially go on a three to five-point tear. One of her best attributes is her ability to keep her nerves at bay and stay focussed on the main goal.”
Bradbury enjoyed the excitement of playing at the Richmond Oval and competing against the nation’s top teams.
“I'm sad that this year had to end but I am excited to see what we can do next year and where it will take us,” she said.
18U Silver
Virden’s Megan Nahachewsky was part of the Cats team that won the silver medals in Division 1 Tier 4 at nationals. Their event was held on Toronto.
“It was so much fun to compete against other teams from across Canada,” Nahachewsky, a Virden Collegiate Institute student, said. “The teams were all very competitive and we had a lot of exciting matches. I am going to miss playing with my Cats team next year as I have made lifelong friendships with my teammates, but I am excited that I get to continue playing volleyball next year at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont.”
16U Duo
The Oak Lake duo of Zoe Schwindt and Jae Johnston competed at the 16U nationals in Regina with the Cats volleyball club. The team made it to the Tier 1 Division 3 quarterfinals. Johnston played right side for the Cats.
“She is a lefty which is rare, so it throws a different dynamic at other teams when attacking,” head coach Andrew Korol said. “She is a very vocal/communicative player with a lot of leadership skills!”
Schwindt played mostly libero and some left side this season.
“Her defence is her best asset, with a no-quit attitude and a fierce competitor,” Korol said when asked about her strengths.
