It's an all Prince George squad headed down to Surrey for the 2012 BC Summer Games, July 19-22 to compete in girls volleyball.
Kim Forrest, head coach of the Zone 8 Cariboo Northeast 15 and under girls team, said no one from other northern centres turned up at tryouts, June 2-3. Despite the lack of regional diversity, Forrest said she's satisfied to field a team that has played junior A or B volleyball at the high school level, in addition to playing for the Prince George Youth Volleyball Club Kodiaks.
"It's great for the girls to do something like this," said Forrest. "The summer games is a once in a lifetime experience the girls will be able to remember for the rest of their lives."
There were 25 girls at the two-day tryout in June which was cut down to 15. Unfortunately three members of the team won't be able to travel to Surrey since each team is only allocated 12 players.
The 15 girls who have practiced together four times a week for the past month at John McInnis secondary school are: Ashley Lemon, Jenna Sutton, Hailee McKenna, Megan Karpenko, Brooklyn Norman, Taylor Samuelson, Kaitlin Seath, Danielle Brbot, Madeline Doucette, Hallie Drezet, Sydney Toninato, Brooke Unger, Amanda Bazinet, Anna Gervais and Nikki McNeil.
Also heading to Surrey as Forrest's assistant coach is Dan Drezet.
Forrest said she expects the team representing the Fraser Valley to provide the stiffest competition for the Zone 8 girls, but the majority of teams will likely have strong offensive skills which has helped her set the style during practice in the past month.
"I think they'll fight hard defensively," said Forrest. " We've worked a lot on defence because we know the teams we'll play will be good on offence."
Forrest, a coach with the Duchess Park junior B girls during the school season, said she has confidence in the leadership her captain, Dani Brbot, will provide. Brbot played junior A volleyball as a Grade 9 student for the Kelly Road Roadrunners last season and her summer games coach believes she has a good chance of cracking the senior team in the fall.
"I think we'll have a good showing," said Brbot about facing the competition in Surrey. "We'll work hard and try our best."
The 15-year-old middle said meeting the athletes from across BC on the first day is what she's most looking forward to other then the volleyball.
"I'm really looking forward to the opening ceremonies," said Brbot. "I've never experienced anything like that before."
The girls leave for Surrey on Wednesday night at 9 p.m. from the Pine Centre Mall along with the other Zone 8 teams.
