The Brant Youth Volleyball Club celebrated the end of their 26th year with a year end banquet on May 13th. This year we had 12 teams competing in the OVA circuit and with age groups from 4v4 to U18. We would like to thank all of our coaches and admin for volunteering their time, our athletes for participating and our parents for being there with us. Congratulations to all of our teams, and we hope you had a great time this season!

As part of the celebration, Coaches recognized those players who achieved particular success during the year. See all teams and award recipients below…

Our U18 Brant Tornadoes!

Award Winners:
MVP – Scarlette R.
Coaches’ Award – Lizzy W.
OVA Award of Excellence – Grace S.

Our U17 Brant Tornadoes team!

Award Winners:
MVP – Kim N.
Coaches’ Award – Chloe M.
OVA Award of Excellence – Reese I.

Our U16 Brant Tornadoes team!

Award winners:
MVP – Danika W.
Most Improved – Lauryn P.
OVA Award of Excellence – Callie B.

Our U15 Brant Tornadoes Apocalypse team!

Award Winners:
Heart and Hustle – Scien B.
Most Valuable Player – Pierce L.
OVA Award of Excellence – Austin L.

Our U15 Brant Tornadoes Vortex team!

Award Winners:
Heart & Hustle – Lily M.
A.C.E. Award – Kiah E.
OVA Award of Excellence – Evyn L.

Our U15 Brant Synergy team!

Award Winners:
Coaches’ Award – Kara F.
PEP Award – Brynn B.
OVA Award of Excellence – Leyla J.

Our U15 Brant Tornadoes Aftershock Team!

Award winners:
OVA Award of Excellence – Sophie L.
Heart & Hustle – Jordyn A,
Most Consistent – Ema N.

Our TLS Brant Tornadoes Hurricane team!

Award winners:
Coaches’ Award – Hannah G.
MVP – Avery S.
OVA Award of Excellence – Hazel K.

Our TLS Brant Tornadoes Fury team!

Award Winners:
The Unshakeable Award – Simone M.
Most Improved Player – Mya R.
OVA Award of Excellence – Jordyn M.

Our 6v6 Brant Tornadoes Rampage team! This team won medals at every tournament they went to including provincials. We are so excited to see what they can do in the future!

Award Winners:
Heart & Hustle – Emmy E.
Coaches’ Award – Hailey C.
Award of Excellence – Audrey F.

Our 6v6 Brant Tornadoes Mayhem team!

Award Winners:
Award of Excellence – Bridget D.
Team Spirit Award – Scarlett C.
Heart and Hustle Award – Abigail D.

Our 4v4 team consisted of 15 players who broke into 3 teams (2 girls and 1 co-ed) to compete in tournaments throughout the season. The whole team showed tremendous growth and development throughout the season, and we hope they had a great time for their first introduction to competitive volleyball. Note: sadly, we did not get a picture with all the 4V4 athletes…

Award Winners:
Award of Excellence – Madilyn B.
Award of Excellence – Reegan M.
Award of Excellence – Westin T.
Coaches’ Award – Alyssa F.
Heart & Hustle Award – Sam B.

Due to overwhelming demand, BYVC has added 2 additional Beach Rec House League Sessions for the 2024 season…1 starting May 17th, 2024, and another starting July 5th.

Also, some spots have opened up for Sr. Spikes starting May 22, 2024!!

Click HERE to see the details and Registration links!!!

The Brant Tornadoes Apocalypse played in their third tournament of the season in Thornhill on Saturday, March 23. The boys went in ranked fifth and captured first in pool play. Despite a tough loss in their semifinal, they pushed hard to win their first medal of the season. Congrats on winning bronze!!

Players of mention: Evan, Rowan, and James.

Looking forward to seeing what these boys can accomplish at Provincials in Ottawa!

Results:
Pool Play
W vs Niagara Rapids Titans (28-26, 25-15)
W vs Unity Nova (25-23, 21-25, 15-13)

Playoffs
(1/4 Final) W vs EVP Karol (18-25, 28-26, 15-9)
(Semi) L vs Niagara Athletics (19-25, 26-24, 10-15)
(Bronze) W vs Unity Nova (25-20, 25-21)

Brant Tornadoes Rampage played in the Trillium B Division in St. Marys on Saturday, March 2, and took away yet another medal…their 3rd of the season!!!

The 15U Synergy Girls Team traveled to Simcoe to play in their first 16U Tournament. They came in ranked 9th and finished in 5th. Well done girls!! The VIP awards went out to Claudia C. (Voice), Leyla J. (Intelligent), and Kara F. (Power).

15U Synergy played in the McGregor Cup in the Championship B Division at Niagara Falls Convention Centre on Friday, Feb. 9th.

In Pool Play, Synergy beat the number 1 ranked team, Caspian Sharks, in 3, 18-25, 25-18, 15-8, but lost to the Guelph Gryphons, 18-25, 20-25.

On Saturday, January 27th, 16U Girls, played in the Trillium Green C Division at the Woodbridge Sportsdome.

The girls started off their day strong by placing first in their pool winning against LVC Fire Smoke, 25-11, 25-11, and Lakeside Billao in 3 sets, 25-12, 20-25, 15-12.

In the quarterfinal the team kept their winning streak against Steel City Ignite Blaze 25-21, 25-9.

Tornadoes then went straight into semifinals against the T West Imperials, winning in 2 sets, 25-22, 25-17, moving them to the gold medal match.

The girls fought tough in the finals, but unfortunately, they fell short losing in 2-straight sets, 25-16, 25-21 to Durham Attack Explosion.

It was a good day, and the Tornadoes are looking forward to continuing to improve for their next tournament. Great job!

Front (L-R): Xixi L, Kiah E, Victoria C, Larissa W, Salma B

Back (L-R): Coach Jon A, Callie B, Dannika W, Jacinda S, Amy M, Lauryn P, Coach Alaina B.

Absent: Coach Andrew A, Coach Casey L.

Brant Tornadoes Hurricane played in the Trillium A Division at either Chatham Kent Secondary School hosted by Chatham Ballhawks Volleyball Club. They were ranked 3rd going into this tournament.

The girls demonstrated determination throughout a very long day in Chatham.

They started off the day placing second in their pool. Moved onto quarter and semifinals where both Chatham Ballhawks and London Sharks Fury put up a tough fight going to 3 sets. But Tornadoes came out with the win moving onto the Gold Medal Match!

In the final game, Rose City United came to play ultimately winning against tornadoes in 2 sets. We are so proud of what the girls have accomplished!

Can’t wait to see what they accomplish next tournament! 

Saturday, January 26th, the Brant Tornadoes 15U Vortex team got to spend an incredible day with former BYVC player Nikina Bear-Lowen and the Guelph Gryphons’ Womens Volleyball Team.

Nikina gave the team a tour around campus and the athletic facility and shared her experience as a student athlete. She spoke about academics, recruitment, skill and physical training.

Vortex players capped of the day watching U of Guelph take on Windsor U in a thrilling 5 set win where Nikina had 5 big blocks for the Gryphons.

Thank you, Nikina, coach Funk, and the Guelph Gryphons Womens Volleyball Team, for an unforgettable day.

On Sunday, January 14th, playing in the Trillium White B Division at Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School in Simcoe, 15U Vortex played amazing all 5 games to win GOLD!!

Congratulations!!!

More details to follow…

On Saturday, January 13th, playing in the Trillium C Division at Christ the King Catholic Secondary School in Georgetown, Rampage took 2nd place!

Congratulations!!!

More details to follow…

On Saturday, December 16th, TLS Brant Tornadoes Hurricane playing in the Trillium D Division at the Garth Webb Secondary School in Oakville. 

The girls started off their day strong by placing first in their pool winning against Smash Raiders Counterattack 25-7, 25 – 23 and Lakeside Kascara 25-19, 25 -12. 

In the 1/4 final the team kept their winning streak against Lakeside Silaha in 3 set match 25-14, 22-25, and 15-11.

Tornadoes then went straight into semifinals against Norfolk Chaos Power where they put up a hard fight but lost 25-23 and 25-15. Although suffering a loss, the girls kept great spirits moving into the bronze medal game and fought through 3 sets to win against Grimsby Vipers Force. 25-14, 18-25 and 15-8. 

Way to go Tornado Hurricanes! Your coaches are so proud of you!! 

On Sunday, December 10th, the Brant Tornadoes competed in the 16U Challenge Cup in Hamilton. The team moved up a division from their previous tournament and were determined to start strong and play with consistency and efficiency. After some close and hard-fought battles, the Tornadoes came out of their pool ranked first.

In their quarterfinal game, they battled hard against Niagara Rapids Elite. The team showed some good hustle and determination but unfortunately the team lost a close third set. Finally, the team finished off their tournament against Niagara Rapids Power but unfortunately, the Brant Tornadoes fell short losing in 2-straight sets. It was a good day, and the Tornadoes are looking forward to continuing to improve for their next tournament. Great job!

Results:
Pool Play:
W vs Grimsby Vipers Apex (25-23, 25-23)
W vs Norfolk Chaos Momentum (25-17, 25-16)

Playoffs:
L vs Niagara Rapids Elite (23-25, 25-16, 12-15)
L vs Niagara Rapids Power (10-25, 20-25)

Players of the tournament: Danika, Salma, and Victoria.

Brant Apocalypse 15U Boys team attended their first tournament on Dec. 2nd in Leamington. They had a strong showing in pool play, finishing first in their pool. Despite not advancing further after their playoff loss, they put forth great effort. It was an action-packed day full of highs and lows and we look forward to improving on our standing in the next tournament. Nice teamwork boys!

Results
Pool Play
W vs Flames Torch (25-10, 19-25, 15-13)
W vs Chatham Ballhawks (22-25, 25-15, 15-7)

Playoffs
L vs MAC Cobalt (15-25, 17-25)
L vs LVC Fire Burn (25-14, 23-25, 14-16)

Players of the tournament: Pierce Luscombe, Scien Babia, Marshall Owen

Tornadoes 4v4 Co-ed team dominated this past weekend in Maple. They showed excellent teamwork, talked to each other, cheered each other on and were undefeated!

The coaches are so proud of them!

Our 4v4 Girls’ teams (Cyclone and Monsoon) competed in their first tournament on Nov. 25 in Simcoe. Both teams saw success on the court and worked together well as a team.

The coaches are super excited to see what they can do at their next tournament on Dec. 17th!

On November 25th, 15U Brant Tornadoes-Synergy traveled to Chatham for the Provincial Cup Tournament. The team had a strong morning, finishing first in their pool by beating our sister team, Brant Tornadoes-Vortex in a tough 3 set match, and Chatham Ballhawks Flight.

In the quarter finals, the team kept up their winning ways by defeating the St. Thomas Express Rockets 25-20, 25-20 to move on to the semifinals, then winning against KW Predators 25-22, 25-20 to move on to the finals.

In the Gold Medal match, the team went up against the SC Bandits Select Team, eventually losing but still coming out with an impressive silver medal to start the season!! Congratulations to the team…great day overall…they had fun, they focused, and they finished!!

Pool play:

W vs Brant-Vortex 25-14, 18-25. 15-8\
W vs Chatham Ballhawks Flight 25-23, 25-16

Playoffs:

Quarter finals: W vs St. Thomas Express Rockets 25-20, 25-20

Semifinals: W vs KW Predators Elite 25-22, 25-20

Finals: L vs SC Bandits Select Team 14-25, 11-25

The Brant Tornadoes-Aftershock team had an excellent showing in their first tournament of the year, at the Provincial Cup held at Holy Trinity High School in Simcoe!

They won both their matches after the lunch break to put themselves in the semifinals.

Despite a loss they played for bronze against a tough Defensa team who they had faced earlier in pool play.  They got behind early in the match and clawed their way back, but it wasn’t enough to take a set.

Congratulations to the team on a great 4th place finish!  Go Aftershock!!

Pool play:
W vs Norfolk Chaos Rush 25-18, 25-23
W vs Niagara Rapids Synergy 25-20, 25-18

Playoffs:
W vs Norfolk Chaos Warriors 25-21, 25-10
W vs Grimsby Vipers Apex 21-25, 25-20, 15-12
L vs Smash Raiders Crush 21-25, 25-20, 7-15

On November 11th, the 18U Girls traveled to Thorold for the Provincial Cup Tournament, culminating in a third-place finish!!! Congrats!!

(Pictured from left to right…Rick Beedham, Sandy Beedham, Andrew Advincula)

Rick Beedham was one of three people from across the province to be presented with the Diane Wood Special Achievement Award.  This award is presented to recognize an outstanding contribution to volleyball at the provincial level for 15 years or more.  Rick, who is one of the co-founders of the Brant Youth Volleyball Club, was recognized for his contribution to the local volleyball community via his roles with the BYVC in their competitive and developmental programs for both indoors and outdoors.  In addition, he has been involved with the summer regional program as a coach and treasurer for Region 3 of the OVA.

Sandy Beedham, who is the other co-founder of the Brant Youth Volleyball Club, was one of three people from across Ontario to be inducted into the OVA’s Hall of Fame in the Builder Category.  To be eligible for this award, an individual must serve for a minimum of 20 years and have made significant contributions in multiple roles.  In addition to her 25 year career as a competitive stream coach with the BYVC, she was also recognized for her involvement at the local elementary and high school level, the OVA regional program and the International Children’s Games (10 years).  Over the years she has mentored many young athletes in both high school and club volleyball and encouraged them to be the best they can be.  This has resulted in the BYVC having a significant number of alumni on our current coaching staff.  In addition, two BYVC alumni are currently professional head coaches at schools in the USA.

Andrew Advincula was presented with a Recognition Award for his involvement in the sport of volleyball for a minimum of 5 years.  So far in his career, he has been involved with BYVC in both the competitive and developmental programs as a coach in the indoor and outdoor streams.  He is also a certified referee and has officiated high school, OVA and OUA and OCAA matches.  He recently became certified as a beach official.

Many thanks to our Coaches for all they do for the sport and especially for BYVC!!!