Columbia 14-Black Elite National was the second of our teams to open their 2018 season with a trip to the first of two CEVA Power League Qualifiers in Salem, OR. Because we're Columbia, these ladies arrived seeded 31st of the 144 teams in the U-14 division. Columbia promptly proved that seeding was deserved by defeating their first opponent and vaulting to #15 overall. They next faced the #2 seed, and despite playing with them for stretches, weren't able to advance again. Columbia rebounded to defeat the #18 seed and again prove that these players belong in the top division.
In the afternoon crossovers, Columbia began to pay the price of their first real experience with Power League travel and dropped another chance to climb against the #7 team. Their final match saw them just with not enough left in the tank as they slid to #23 against a team they would have beaten in the morning. All together, these ladies had a remarkable first day, going 2-3 against teams from the first division and no loss outside the top 16 teams. They'll be a top seed in their pool for the 2nd qualifier, and will play in the much closer location of Vancouver as well. Well done players, coaches, and parents!
Columbia 14-Black Elite National scores: defeated Trailsend 14-1 Harmik 25-14, 10-25, 16-14; lost to Athena 14-1 Gold 20-25, 7-25; defeated Portland VBC 14-2 Green 25-14, 25-16; lost to OJVA 14-1 Gold 7-25, 4-25; lost to YVBA 14-1 Black 9-25, 21-25. (2-3, 4-7) - Qualified #23 for second round of 144 teams in division.
