The Deep Dish Junior Club has been putting in the work all season, and the results are showing! From thrilling tournament performances to inspiring leadership from our captains, it’s been an exciting few weeks for our U16 girls, U18 boys, and the entire junior squad. With some big competitions behind us and even bigger ones ahead, let’s take a moment to celebrate the team’s progress, resilience, and standout moments.
U16 Girls: Stepping Up & Holding Their Own in Silver Pools
Just two weeks ago, our U16 Girls put on an inspiring performance, showing how much they’ve grown since the start of the season. Having moved up from Bronze to Silver pools, the competition level increased, but that didn’t stop them from holding their own against some of the best teams in the division.
They played three incredibly close matches, even taking a set off one of the top-ranked teams. While they didn’t manage to close it out in the end, it was still a huge achievement considering they were missing key players. Their ability to adapt, push through challenges, and compete at this level is a testament to their hard work this season.
U16 Captain Marcelle reflected on their Term 2 journey so far, saying: "Winning our first game of the season in Round 1 of the Grand Prix was by far my proudest moment on the court this season. Everyone had been showing up to training consistently, working on rotations and gameplay, and it was the first time we saw everything fall into place during a match. That moment really set the tone for the season."
When asked what it feels like to be part of the Deep Dish Juniors team, she shared: "To be part of this team feels very much like a big friend group. I’ve been approached multiple times by other teams at tournaments by other players and coaches saying that they have never seen a team so close and getting along so well on and off the court. Not only that but everyone is always so supportive and encouraging with each other."
Looking ahead, Marcelle is most excited for their next U15 tournament, where the entire team will be able to play together: "Ee’re going to have a lot of fun on the court knowing that everyone will enjoy every last bit of playing together as a team as some people cant play next season due to age. I’m also really looking forward to getting back to playing on the beach because it’s been a while since we last played."
U18 Boys: Podium Finish & Grand Prix Success
Our U18 Boys had an incredible tournament this past weekend, securing a third-place finish! Their performance throughout the season has been nothing short of impressive, and this latest result adds another highlight to their journey.
Amber Davies, coach of the U18 Boys, praised the team’s effort and energy throughout the competition: "The boys played with great intensity and showed impressive teamwork throughout the day. Despite the tough competition, they pushed themselves to perform at their best, showing both skill and determination. Everyone had a great day and I even treated them to a McFlurry afterwards! Well done boys on the third and thank you for a fun season!".
U18 Captain Stan shared his thoughts on the team’s progress, as well as his personal highlight from the season: "My proudest moment on the court has to be reaching a 2nd place finish at Round 2 of the Grand Prix. I played at a consistently high level throughout the day, and to see that effort translate into results was an amazing feeling."
For Stan, being part of Deep Dish Juniors is more than just about volleyball—it’s about the environment and the people: "The team culture at Deep Dish is incredible. It’s such a friendly and welcoming space, and that makes a huge difference in how we play together and support each other."
With the Gold Pool Finals coming up, Stan and the team are eager for the opportunity to compete for medals: "Even though we’re not in the top bracket, this is a chance to bring home some hardware, and we’re going to give it everything we’ve got. And of course, I can’t wait to get back on the beach!"
With only a few weeks left in the indoor season, every team is putting in the work to finish strong before we transition back to beach training. The energy, commitment, and passion shown by our Deep Dish Juniors have been incredible, and we can’t wait to see how they close out the season. Congratulations to all our teams for their dedication and achievements so far, let’s keep the momentum going!
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