McNeil took part in a six-hour tryout for the team June 5, the only player from Digby to attend. Out of 34 possible players, she was one of 12 selected for the girls’ under-15 team.
Asked how she felt about being the first Digby girl to make the provincial team, she replied, “excited, really excited.”
The grade 9 student started playing volleyball in grade 5, coached at first by her father, Darrell McNeil.
Current coach Jason Francis started the present volleyball program at DRHS about five years ago and said he is really pleased McNeil made the Nova Scotia team. He notes she never misses a practice and plays on his senior team.
When the program started, “I told the girls and parents the first couple of years will be rough but as you go on it’ll get better. The third year they were winning metals and now it’s growing.”
His advice for players is to not give up, while McNeil’s advice for those wanting to succeed is “get coached by Jason.”
She said hitting and passing the ball a lot during practices helped a lot. She hopes to come back after this summer and teach some of the players on her team to be stronger players with an aim of winning the Provincials next year and then go to nationals.
“That’s the plan anyway,” Francis said.
The girls U-15 provincial team will compete Aug. 6-7in the East Elites Championship in Moncton. Training for the championships takes place July 26-30 and Aug. 2-5.
McNeil is also playing soccer this summer.
ldelong@digbycourier.ca
