The U-15 403 Selects South Calgary Volleyball team has a new honour to tuck into their trophy case, and a bunch of great memories to cherish.

They won first place in the bronze division in the at the Festival Fiesta Classic in Phonix Arizona recently, against hundreds of teams.

Friends and teammates, Chiara Sheedy and Maryn Boldon are of Okotoks, played played nine games in three days.

"They were incredible teams," said Chiara Sheedy. "It was really intense. It was kind of a match up of who could last out the longest."  

Maryn Boldon added, "Each player had their time to shine, and played like the best any of us has ever seen them play."  

They said the success the team has comes from the bonds they have as a team and the training they receive.

Their coach has them work on PPM's which is Positive Per Minutes Goals.

They set a timer and then measure how many times the players encourage another player and  how many times are they contributing to the team the results are a PPM.

"He really holds us accountable not only for our technical and physical aspects but for our mental and team bonding aspects to really work as a unit," said Sheedy.

Boldon added they are always encouraging one another.

"We wait for the last person, we don't go get water right away. We stay back with them. We encourage them cheer them on then we go have water. We are always talking, Oh you did great, keep it up, lets  go get this next drill done, lets get better."

The community support from family and friends also helps the girls to dig dipper and play harder.

 There are several more games and tournaments for the team to get through.