Over the course of three action-packed weekends in April, Superior North Volleyball Club sent five teams to compete at the 2025 Ontario Championships, held at RIM Park and Conestoga College in Waterloo. Across the board, athletes showed skill, growth, resilience—and in one case, brought home some serious hardware.
The first team to hit the courts was the 16U girls’ squad, competing from April 4–6. Led by coaches Julia Curtis, Emma LaFreniere, and Lily Lingner, the team delivered an outstanding performance, capturing gold in Division 5, Tier 2.
Coach Curtis reflected on the tournament’s defining moment: “Our semi-final game really stood out. We took it to a third set and won 20–18. It was such a close match, and I was incredibly proud of every single girl who stepped on the court.”
Coach LaFreniere echoed that sentiment, adding, “We lost the first set and then came back to win the second and third, finishing 20–18. It was such an amazing game, and we were all so proud.”
The team’s grit and resilience fueled their path to the top of the podium, marking a memorable high point in their season. “It was a moment we won’t forget,” Coach Curtis added.
With fans cheering from both the stands and back home, the team fed off that energy all weekend—making their gold medal victory all the more meaningful.
Next up was the 16U boys’ team, who hit the court from April 20–22 under the guidance of coaches Emma Korolenko and Chase House. Competing in Division 2, the team found their rhythm late Saturday night in what became a defining moment of the weekend.
“Our last pool play game on night two was electric,” said Coach Chase. “The boys had already played three matches with just a 15-minute break, but that late-night OVA championship energy is unmatched.”
Pushing through fatigue, the team battled to a thrilling three-set victory that wrapped up around 10:40 p.m., delivering some of the best volleyball they’d played all season.
“Their grit, energy, and fight until the very last point made us incredibly proud,” added Coach Emma.
The final weekend saw a trio of 18U teams take the stage: the 18U girls, the 18U High Performance girls, and the 18U boys, competing April 25–27.
Coach Payton Leflar of the 18U girls’ team described the tournament as a powerful reflection of the team’s growth. “We honestly feel so lucky to have been part of their journey—especially for some of them playing their final moments of club volleyball.”
After a tough quarterfinal loss that left them finishing 9th in Division 4, Tier 2, the coaches were especially moved by a comeback win on Saturday. Down 21–23 in the second set after dropping the first, the girls rallied to tie the match with a 25–23 win, then edged out their opponents in a nail-biting third set, 16–14.
“They were playing unreal defence, served a ton of aces, and the energy was just incredible,” said Leflar. “It was just a special moment.”
On the 18U High Performance team, coached by John Curtis and Emma Korolenko, a similar story of grit and growth unfolded. The team finished 18th in Division 3, Tier 3, but their placement didn’t reflect the impact they made.
“One of the biggest highlights was coming back from one set down to beat the #2 team in our division,” said Curtis. They followed that up by toppling the eventual silver medalists in three sets.
“These athletes showed a lot of heart and tenacity. Besides one questionable front flip,” he joked, “they really showed what SNVC is made of. The future is bright.”
Rounding out the weekend, the 18U boys—coached by Alexa Desjardins and Eddie Jung—delivered a strong performance in Division 2, ultimately finishing tied for 17th.
Coach Jung pointed to their final pool play match as a defining moment. After a tight 25–23 loss in the opening set, the team bounced back to win the second handily, 25–19, and closed the third with a thrilling 16–14 victory over a team that would go on to place in the top 10.
“It was just a gritty, well-fought match that showed how much this group has grown.”
From long rallies to heart-racing finishes, from medals to memories, the 2025 Ontario Volleyball Association’s Ontario Championships served as a powerful reminder of what SNVC athletes are made of. Each team came away with something valuable—whether it was a gold medal, a comeback win, or a shared moment on the court that will be remembered for years to come.
As we wrap up the 2024–2025 season with this final tournament, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the coaches who volunteered their time and passion, guiding our athletes every step of the way. A huge thank you to the families and friends who supported us—whether they were in the stands, watching from home, or sending encouraging words. We also want to thank the SNVC board for making this incredible season possible. This journey was all for the love of the game, and we are grateful to share it with such an amazing community.