To be invited to a national tournament for anything is a huge honour, but for the under-16 girls' volleyball team from North Battleford, being invited wasn't enough.
The Crush made it further than they ever have under head coach Rob Rongve, but the team picked a bad time to not be on their game. They lost to Lethbridge in the quarter-finals, sending them home earlier than they would have hoped.
"It's so different There were 20 courts of volleyball going on, boys' and girls', you know, it's just overwhelming," Rongve said.
After coming third at provincials just a couple weeks ago, the girls were asked to take their game to another level. Rongve said they didn't play well, and no doubt the pressure got to them.
Getting the experience of playing at such a big tournament is a victory in itself, not to mention just being invited as one of the top 32 teams in Canada.
"To be honest it was a little disappointing I think for all of us, knowing we could play better. But again, it's a good way to learn and always a good experience," Rongve said.
The tournament was in Calgary with boys and girls from coast-to-coast competing to be named the best in the country.
"It's a great tournament as far as competition, but it's overwhelming. Even for us, the coaches, it was something to experience," he said.
Typically this would be considered a once in a lifetime opportunity, but most of the girls will be back next year, and the added experience should mean an even more impressive result.
The team might have walked away with frustration, but it should hardly be considered a disappointing finish to the season.
The winner for the U16 Girls' Division was Forest City Green from London.
