The Superior North Voltage 16U boys travelled to Woodbridge, Ontario on February 28 to compete in the OVA Bugarski Cup. Facing a competitive field of ranked teams from across the province, the team delivered a strong performance, finishing the tournament with a 2–3 record and a 5th place finish in the Trillium B division.
Coached by Divyansh Malik and John Curtis, the Voltage athletes played five matches throughout the day and showed clear improvement from their previous tournament. According to Malik, the team took a big step forward in their development. “Overall, we had a strong weekend and showed a lot of improvement from our previous tournament,” he said. Competing against ranked opponents in every match made for a challenging and valuable experience, and even in their losses the sets were close and competitive.
Throughout pool play, the team stayed composed during high-pressure moments and consistently challenged higher-ranked opponents. Malik highlighted the team’s energy and communication as key factors in their performance. “Our energy on the bench and communication on the court were strong throughout the tournament,” he said, noting that the group’s improved chemistry was evident both on and off the court.
Outside hitter Quinn Little Sobchuk said the weekend gave the team a chance to showcase the progress they have been making in practice. “This weekend was very exciting because we got to showcase a lot of the things we have been practicing as a team,” he said. Quinn also emphasized how much the team’s connection has improved, adding that players were hustling for every ball, covering each other, and constantly encouraging one another during matches. The team now has a clearer understanding of the skills they want to continue developing as they prepare for provincials.
Teammate Wren Holmstrom, who plays both setter and outside hitter for the Voltage, reflected on how far the group has come since their previous tournament. After finishing last and not winning a set in their earlier competition, the team returned stronger and more confident, earning their first wins and finishing fifth overall. “There were some ups and downs, but most importantly we improved from last tournament,” Holmstrom said. “I’m very proud of our group and excited to see what we can do at provincials.”
Moving forward, the team will continue focusing on strengthening their serve receive, becoming more aggressive from the service line, and reducing unforced errors. Maintaining intensity from the first point to the last and executing in key moments will also be key as they prepare for the Ontario Volleyball Association Provincial Championships later this season.
With strong competition and clear progress behind them, the Superior North Voltage 16U boys are looking forward to building on this momentum in their upcoming events
