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Wednesday, October 6, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER D3 Kantor is in full time training with national volleyball squad Blades suffered from defensive lapse (Continued from page D1) To make matters worse, he came home to the national team tryouts and blew out his shoulder. One good thing that came out of it, he said, is that he became "close to God -- that was really valuable to me as a person." He spent the summer rehabilitating his shoulder, and soon all the struggle and hard work paid off. The national team coach "called me back and asked me to come out and train with them. I guess he liked what he saw and invited me to go to a tournament that fall and ever since then I've been on the team." For the 1997-98 season he signed on with a team from Belgium. "It was tough for different reasons. The team ran out of money." This, understandably, cut into the team's training commitments and it eventually finished second last, rele­ gated out of the division. Back on Canadian soil, he solidi­ fied his spot on the Canadian team with a good training camp in May of '98. Later that year, he went back over to Europe for his third tour of duty and finally met with both personal and, more importantly, team success in the 1998-99 season which wrapped up this past spring. "It was a good team, everyone was professional. No one was working at another job or going to school. Volleyball wasn't a second interest. We had a real good coach. We trained hard, twice a day. The atmosphere was much more geared to my approach." The team finished 4th in the 12- team league. "It was a pretty good finish for us." The team was also a finalist in the Spanish League Cup playdowns which qualified them into this sea­ son's European Cup competition. Kantor, however, will not be with them. The lead-up to the 2000 Olympics has already begun and Kantor is play­ ing for Canada. And at a pay-cut. But, quite frankly, he doesn't see it as an issue. He's not living high off the hog at the national graining centre in Winnipeg but he gets enough train­ ing money to put a roof over his head (very important in Winnipeg in the winter), some food in the fridge and, more importantly, pursue his life long dream. "I wouldn't consider it a real sacri­ fice because I'm playing for Canada. Ever since I started playing volley­ ball, that was my goal, and my dream was to play for Canada at the Olympics. Right now I'm going for that, so I'm happy." Over the next several months Canada basically has three shots to qualify for the 2000 Olympics, all of them formidable. The first one comes at next month's world championships in Tokyo where the top three teams advance. It would be a real shocker if Canada locked up a spot at this one. "It will be difficult," conceded Kantor. Actually, it would be about as dif­ ficult as Canada finishing in the top three at the world rugby champi­ onships now under way. The second chance to qualify -- and the one the Canadian team is counting on -- is at the Continental Cup which runs in Winnipeg, begin­ ning in early January. "It won't be much of a millenni­ um party," quipped Kantor. 'We've been training twice a day, six hours a day, six days a week' - David Kantor "It's our zone," he explained. "North America, Central America and the Caribbean." Only the top team qualifies from this event, said team spokesman John Blacher. What the Canadian team is really hoping for is that if they can't pull off an improbable top-three finish at next month's world championships, that Cuba can. And that would mean January's Continental Cup in Winnipeg could go ahead without Cuba, leaving Canada and the U.S. as the pre-tour­ nament favourites to battle it out for the lone spot. There is a last chance qualifier in Europe in June. Twelve teams will be divided into three four-team divisions with the three division winners gain­ ing Olympic berths. But Canada doesn't want it to come down to this, said Kantor. Canada should prove to be battle ready, he said. They raised eyebrows in the elite super 12-team World League this past summer, when they opened at home with a split with Brazil and Spain and swept both matches from Holland. The road, however, didn't prove quite as hospitable. In Brazil, as expected, they lost both games to even their record at 4-4. They then split with Holland to move to 5-5 which set up a key match against Spain, with the winner locking up second place (Brazil earned first place) and the final playoff berth, which carried with it at least a $600,000 payday. The first match went the limit before Spain finally prevailed in five sets (23-25, 25-22, 26-28, 26-24, 16- 14). "We were ahead 13-11 in the fifth set and we lost 16-14," said Kantor, the disappointment still apparent. 'That took a lot out of us, I think." Canada, which could still have advanced by winning 3-1 or better in the second match, went down 3-0. Still, not bad for a team which snuck into the World League after scooping up the last qualifying posi­ tion by finishing 12th at the world championships. This taste of success whet their appetite and Kantor said they're working hard to earn their seat at the Olympic table. Basically since this past May, he said, "we've been training twice a day, six hours a day, six days a week." They'll get a good barometer of how they're progressing as they kick off a world cup tune-up tourney -- the America's Cup in Florida -- next week with basically the same teams that competed in the Pan-Am Games, including Brazil, Cuba and the U.S. Again, a good payday will be at hand for the top finishers. After his volleyball career, Kantor intends to put his university education to good use. He graduated from Queen's with a civil engineering degree, specializing in the environ­ mental area. He's already got his feet wet in this area, taking the summer of 1996 off to work with O'Connor Associates Environmental Inc. in Oakville. He said he "thoroughly enjoyed" it, and looks forward to pur­ suing it when his international volley­ ball career comes to a close. Close road w in in Guelph Last Saturday, the Bell Expressview Oakville Rangers Novice A team travelled to Guelph to face the Guelph Junior Storm. The Rangers came away with a 2-1 win after a tight three periods of hockey. Difficult ice conditions made for a more challenging game. The first period ended scoreless after an exchange of shots. Early in the second, Michael McGilvery hit Taylor Ziesman with a tremendous pass that was handled perfectly. Taylor put the puck over the Guelph goalie's shoulder for a lead that would not be given up. Later in the period, McGilvery again delivered a nice pass, this time to Brian Coules who scored Oakville's second goal. Oakville kept up the pressure throughout the game but were stopped by good goaltending. Matthew Lynett and Max Mihaichuk made several nice defen­ sive stops for the Rangers. The Bell Expressview Rangers next play the Arthur Optimists with weekend tournament action in Toronto. (Continued from page D1) our goalies when they are given so many short-handed situations." Buffalo took advantage of the penalties, scoring four power play goals. Oakville players seemed to be in the penalty box all night. It was a very rough game with penalties and hard checks. McDonald felt that his goalies were the ones in the spotlight on Friday, making some great saves. "Our goalies made some key saves during the game." McDonald commented on the lack of defence in their past few games. "Our defence has been weak lately. In the last two games, we have allowed a lot of goals. "Our goals allowed per game is around five right now. We would like it to be around two or three." Matt Collaton was pulled after the second period, allowing Matt Violin to play goal the third period. Undefeated record not good enough to make tourney final The Atom BB Oakville Hornets par­ ticipated in the Red Wing Earlybird Tournament on Sept. 25th and 26th and just fell short of making the finals, in winning one game and tying two. In the first game against the Stouffville Stars, the Hornets and Stars battled to a 1-1 draw. Scoring for the Hornets was Sarah Grigor from Bianca Mirabelli and Stephanie Secord. In game two, the Hornets defeated the Durham West Lightning 2-1, with the first goal off the stick of Kaitlyn Wheeler, with assists to Tenille Clarke and Melissa Snedden. The go ahead goal was applied by Megan Wanless, from Roxanne Johnson. Game three had the Hornets up against the undefeated Scarborough Sharks. The Hornets needed a win to advance to the final. Despite outshooting, the Sharks 22-4 in the game, the Hornets couldn't regis­ ter a goal and wound up tied at 0-0. The shutout was shared by Charlotte Capaldo and Stephanie Wilson. While the Hornets did not reach the finals, they controlled much of the three games, outshooting their opposition by a total of 59-16. The Atom BB Hornets would like to acknowledge their sponsors: Air Canada Vacations, M erritt Goddard, Meray Motors, Royal and Sun Alliance, Halton Chiropractic, and Halton Signs. Oakville Soccer Club house league, girls U -9 season wrap-up GIRLS UNDER 9-B (Aug. 17) SCL IMAGING 3 (Kristina Zucchiatti 3); NATS 3 (Kristy Cameron, Melanie Alexander, Danie Atkinson). CONWAY-DAVIS 4 (Jessica Katamay, Julie Rose Pagnotta, Victoria Scullion, Melissa Melville); A.V. SUTTON 0. HTECH 0; FABTECH 0. (Aug. 10) SCL IMAGING 1 (Kristina Zucchiatti); CON­ WAY-DAVIS 1 (Julie-Rose Pagnotta). FABTECH 3 (Chrissy McConachie 2, Natalie Stong); NATS 0. HTECH 2 (Christina D'lppolito, Holly Smith); SUTTON 1 (Hilary Jutras). (Aug. 3) SCL IMAGING 1 (Kristina Zucchiatti); A. VEN- DITTI SUTTON l (Emily Brown). FABTECH 4 (Chloe St. Cyr, Chrissy McChonichie, Carly Dagy, Natalie Stong); CONWAY DAVIS 1 (Julie- Rose Pagnotta). HTECH 2 (Anna Lubinsky, Alexandra Antidormi); NATS0. (July 20) CONWAY-DAVIS 2 (Maureen Shea, Julie Rose Pagnotta); HTECH 0. NATS 3 (Victoria Stott, Hannah Mandel, Stephanie Scarpone); A.V. SUTTON 0. SCL IMAGING 1 (Kristina Zucchiatti); FABTECH 0. (July 13) CONWAY-DAVIS 3 (Julie-Rose Pagnotta 2, Melissa Melville); NATS 2 (Melanie Alexander 2). FABTECH 2 (Monika Liapczynski, Natalie Stong); A.V. SUTTON 2 (Lauren Jarvis 2). HTECH 1 (Christina D'Ippolito); SCL IMAGING 0. GIRLS UNDER 9-C (Aug. 18) FICEL MARKETING 4 (Alexandra Marquis 2, Tania Horvat, Colleen Doherty); PRICEWATER- HOUSE COOPER 1 (Leah Franco). PERMANENT SEARCH 3 (Tanisha Wehby 2, Rachel Vuckson); GHOSTBUSTERS 1 (Lisa Oikawa). JACK ASTORS 4 (Rosie Paladino, Alexandra Williams, Christina Shaw, Stephanie Salema); BELL & MACKENZIE 0. POPSICLE 2 (Melinda Ashe, Michaela Wathen); SPARROWS 0. (Aug. 11) GHOSTBUSTERS 5 (Ashley Muller 4, Lisa Oikawa); BELL & MACKENZIE 1 (Mikaela Rodgers). PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPER 3 (Jaime Neefs 3); POPSICLE 2 (Katelyn Walker, Sharon Jassar). JACK ASTORS 7 (Alexandra Williams 3, Christina Shaw 2, Kathryn Reinhardt 2); PERMA­ NENT SEARCH 5 (Tanisha Wehby 3, Shanan Egli, Jennifer Quirk). (Aug. 4) GHOSTBUSTERS 2 (Lisa Oikawa, Monika Punkris); POPSICLES 1 (Katelyn Witmeyer). BELL & MACKENZIE 1 (Mikaela Rodgers); SPARROWS 0. PERMANENT SEARCH 3 (Tanisha Wehby, Alyssa Molfetta, Cassandra Nudo); PRICEWATER­ HOUSE COOPER 0. FICEL MARKETING 2 (Alexandra Marquis, Sarah Gryschak); JACK ASTORS 1 (Danielle Cook- Richings). (July 21) FICEL MARKETING 6 (Alexandra Marquis 3, Raylene Cormier, Colleen Doherty, Sara Sorrentino); GHOSTBUSTERS 0. PERMANENT SEARCH 4 (Tanisha Wehby 4, Shannon Egli, Jennifer Quirk, Rachel Vuckson); SPAR­ ROWS 0. BELL & MACKENZIE 3 (Chelsie Figueira, Sandy Trujillo, Bridget Stauton); PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPER 0. Call 1 .8 0 0 .9 0 5 * 0 2 7 0 www.russellhockey.conn Game of the Week Low Level Adult Hockey League Fall & W in te r Se aso n individual or group registration) A social, relaxed recreational atmosphere 0v«r 15 lo ta tio u including O a kv te , B urtngton, M ississauga, Bram pton. Canos h ie plate an 'Ofympk Rink" at River Oaks Arena, Oak rile. Also registering lor: ADULT HOCKEY SCHOOLS for Men & Women Russell Hockey Enterprises BERHN STABL Open 7 days a week year round and children of all ages. • 3 indoor riding arenas • 1172 miles west of Hwy. *25 on North side League Winners Division A, Puma (Coach: Mario Peluso) Division B, Htech (Coach: Allan Hrynsyshyn) Division C, Permanent Search (Coach: Alan Bower) League Cup Winners Finalists Division A Puma IMAX Division B & C Conway David Ficel Marketing Scoring Leaders Division A, Cassandra Russo Division B, Kristina Zucchiatti Division C, Tanisha Wehby GOLD AWARDS DIVISION A TEAM NAME -- TORSTAR Most Valuable Player: Daniela Gysler Best Offensive Player: Sarah Dulmage Best Defensive Player: Katie Rubinoff/Marla Campbell Most Improved Player: Monica Maher Most Dedicated Player: Siobhan Morrison TEAM NAME -- Imax Most Valuable Player: Caroline Davies Best Offensive Player: Emile Clark Best Defensive Player: Genevieve Panabaker Most Improved Player: Amanda Paul Most Dedicated Player: Kristen Anderson TEAM NAME -- Puma Most Valuable Player: Cassandra Russo Best Offensive Player: Laura Pendlebury Best Defensive Player: Ingrid Merry Most Improved Player: Alene Vanderhoop Most Dedicated Player: Melanie Vanderhoop TEAM NAME -- Forever Baskets Most Valuable Player: Katarine Kapusin/Tracy Evans Best Offensive Player: Patricia Ellerson Best Defensive Player: Amanda Pope Most Improved Player: Kaitlyn Vincent Most Dedicated Player: Nicole Spencer TEAM NAME -- Eurostar Most Valuable Player: Sarah Longo Best Offensive Player: Lindsey Brown Best Defensive Player: Brittney Riendeau Most Improved Player: Lauren Massie/Natalie Thompson Most Dedicated Player: Alicia Ronca TEAM NAME -- Dr. Gwartz Most Valuable Player: Danielle Ganassini Best Offensive Player: Lisa Ryan Best Defensive Player: Isabelle Treyvaud Most Improved Player: Tassi Sewell Most Dedicated Player: Candice Reggi TEAM NAME -- Gentry Environmental Most Valuable Player: Lauren Skinner Best Offensive Player: Dana Scanzano Best Defensive Player: Allison Bennett Most Improved Player: Megan French Most Dedicated Player: Jennifer Paquette TEAM NAME -- NGTV Most Valuable Player: Sloane George Best Offensive Player: Kylie Saso Best Defensive Player: Rachel Duban Most Improved Player: Stephanie Maganja Most Dedicated Player: Caralin Kalata DIVISION B SCL IMAGING Most Valued Player: Kristie Zucchiatti Best Offensive: Alexandra Lyn Best Defensive: Alexandra Mason Most Improved: Jessi Pacheco Most Dedicated: Marissa MacDonald CONWAY-DAVIS Most Valued Player: Emily Frost Best Offensive: Julie Rose Pagnotta Best Defensive: Nicole Nyholt Most Improved: Holly Foran Most Dedicated: Melissa Melville ALBERT VENDITTI SUTTON Most Valued Player: Lauren Jarvis Best Offensive: Emily Brown Best Defensive: Lauren Tracey Most Improved: Lindsay Powell Most Dedicated: Roxanne Maltby HTECH Most Valued Player: Anna Lubinsky Best Offensive: Alexandra Antidormi Best Defensive: Jacqueline May Most Improved: Christina D'lppolito Most Dedicated: Holli Hrynyshyn FABTECH Most Valued Player: Natalie Stong Best Offensive Player: Stephanie Harrison Best Defensive Player: Amy Maynard Most Improved Player: Stephanie Piper Most Dedicated Player: Margaret Jakubowski NATS Most Valued Player: Danie Atkinson Best Offensive Player: Hannah Mandel Best Defensive Player: Melanie Alexander Most Improved Player: Julia Buckner Most Dedicated Player: Jade Hood DIVISION C SPARROWS Most Valued Player: Alyssa Cangemi Best Offensive Player: Samantha Manning Best Defensive Player: Jacelyn Pender Most Improved Player: Pamela Argue Most Dedicated Player: Elaine Skene POPSICLE Most Valued Player: Katelyn Walker Best Offensive Player: Christine Ottoni Most Improved Player: Michaela Wathen Most Dedicated Player: Melinda Ash PERMANENT SEARCH GROUP Most Valued Player: Tanisha Wehby Best Offensive Player: Cassandra Nudo Best Defensive Player: Alyssa Molfetta Most Improved Player: Shannon Egli Most Dedicated Player: Megan Holbrock GHOSTBUSTERS Most Valued Player: Heidi Dyck Best Offensive Player: Ashley Muller Best Defensive Player: Monika Punkris Most Improved Player: Beth Vickers Most Dedicated Player: Lisa and Sara Oikwa JACK ASTORS Most Valued Player: Christina Shaw Best Offensive Player: Alexandra Williams Best Defensive Player: Stephanie Salema Most Improved Player: Rosie Paladino Most Dedicated Player: Julia Finnigan PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPER Most Valued Player: Jaime Neefs Best Offensive Player: Leah Franco Best Defensive Player: Polly D'Arcy Most Improved Player: Katie Morrissey Most Dedicated Player: Beth Irvine BELL & MACKENZIE Most Valued Player: Kristy Kline Best Offensive Player: Alexandra Gabura Best Defensive Player: Kirsten Veenhuizen Most Improved Player: Sandy Trujillo Most Dedicated Player: Samantha Chadwick FICEL MARKETING Most Valued Player: Alexandra Marquis Best Offensive Player: Sarah Albazi Best Defensive Player: Michelle Kupers Most Improved Player: Ginette Moores Most Dedicated Player: Larissa Calderone/Claire Stanbridge I 3 4 4 5 D undas W. (Hwy. #5) Oakville 8 2 7 -4 6 7 8 w e b s ite w w w .b e r t in s ta b le s .c o m e -m a il: b e r t in @ w e b tv .n e t NOW REGISTERING Oakville Aquatic Club is dedicated to develop ing your ch ild 's potential in the sport o f com petitive sw im m ing. Olympic Way is our novice level program . It is designed to teach the fundam entals o f com petitive sw im m ing, develop aerobic fitness and bu ild a love o f the sport. Our professional coaches have extensive experience and are form er O lym pic and N ationally ranked sw im m ers. Oakville Aquatic Club ranks 11th in Canada. Call now, Olympic Way program starts this month! Going to great lengths in pursuit o f excellence! Oakville Aquatic Club 842-0903 www.csca.org/oak http://www.russellhockey.conn http://www.bertinstables.com mailto:bertin@webtv.net http://www.csca.org/oak Call 1.800.905*0270