
CHATHAM BALLHAWKS VOLLEYBALL CLUB
Ballhawks in the News

Hunter Hoskins commits to Fleming for 2023/24 season
May 29, 2023
Congratulations to Hunter Hoskins who has committed to Fleming for next year! Hunter has been with the Ballhawks program the last 3 seasons. Best of luck Hunter!!

Liam Cobb commits to TMU for 2023/24 season
Apr 10, 2023
Congratulations to Liam Cobb who signed a commitment to Toronto Metropolitan University for next year! Liam will be studying Criminology while playing for the Bolts as he continues his educational journey. Best of luck Liam!!
18U Ballhawks take home silver
Mar 26, 2023
Congratulations to the 18U Ballhawks took home silver at the Ontario Volleyball's 18U Girls Bugarski Cup in Simcoe ...

17U Ballhawks win bronze
Mar 26, 2023
The Chatham 17U Ballhawks captured bronze at the Ontario Volleyball's 18U Girls Bugarski Cup in Hamilton ...

Tyler Canniff signs with Fanshawe for next year!
Mar 20, 2023
Congratulations to Tyler Canniff who signed a commitment to play for Fanshawe Falcons next year! Tyler has been with the Ballhawks program for 8+ years. Tyler joins recent signee Carter Pittuck and current Falcon Turner Lessard, a former Ballhawk teammate.
16U Ballhawks take home silver
Mar 5, 2023
Congratulations to the 16U Ballhawks took home silver at the Ontario Volleyball's 17U Girls Bugarski Cup in Simcoe ...

17U Ballhawks win bronze
Mar 5, 2023
The Chatham 17U Ballhawks took home bronze at the Ontario Volleyball's 17U Girls Bugarski Cup at Fanshawe in London ...

Ballhawks win Silver
Feb 8TH, 2023, Chatham Daily News ...
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The Chatham Ballhawks won silver medals at the Ontario Volleyball Association’s McGregor Cup – Trillium A 15U boys’ tournament.
The Ballhawks lost to the Halton Hurricanes 25-18, 25-19 in Saturday’s final in Thorold. They beat the Ancaster Lions Impact 25-21, 20-25, 15-10 in a semifinal and the LVC Fire Burn 24-26, 25-22, 15-12 in a quarter-final.
The Ballhawks went 2-0 in pool play by sweeping Sky Volley and the Guelph Jr. Gryphons.

Ballhawks 16U are Golden
Feb 1ST, 2023, CKSN ...
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The Chatham Ball Hawks continue their impressive play this season.
This past weekend the Ball Hawks 16U girls played in Stratford for the McGregor Cup and won gold.
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In the finals, the team downed Kitchener 21-25, 25-18, 15-11.

Meghan Kormendy commits to Fanshawe for next year!
Feb 1, 2023
Congratulations to Meghan Kormendy who signed a commitment to play for Fanshawe Falcons next year! Meghan has been with the Ballhawks program for 8 years. Best of luck Meghan as you continue your volleyball journey!!



Three Chatham Ballhawks teams win tournament medals
Jan 24TH, 2023, Chatham Daily News ...
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The Ballhawks Soar 14U girls won Championship A gold at Ursuline College Chatham on Sunday.
They beat the Niagara Rapids Power 25-14, 25-23 in the final, the Smash Raiders Ice 25-22, 25-19 in a semifinal and the Ballhawks Fly 25-21, 25-14 in a quarter-final after placing first in their pool with a 1-1 match record. Ballhawks Fly were fifth overall.
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The Ballhawks 18U boys won Trillium A gold in Leamington on Sunday.
They beat the KW Predators Venom 25-20, 25-21 in the final, the FCVC Hyperion 25-20, 25-21 in a semifinal and the St. Thomas Express Bullets 25-13, 25-16 in a quarter-final after winning their pool with a 2-0 match record.
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The Ballhawks 18U girls won Trillium B silver in Kitchener on Saturday.
They lost to the Niagara Rapids Blitz 17-25, 25-17, 16-14 in the final after beating the LVC Intensity 25-15, 25-19 in a semifinal and the London Hammerhead Shark Frenzy 25-11, 25-19 in a quarter-final. They were 2-0 in pool play.

Carter Pittuck commits to Fanshawe for next year!
January 23, 2023
Congratulations to Carter Pittuck who signed a commitment to play for Fanshawe Falcons next year! Carter will be continuing his volleyball journey while planning studies in police foundations in the school of public safety. Carter has been with the Ballhawks program for 8 years. Your Ballhawks family is so proud of and all the best in your next chapter!! He reunites with Ballhawk alum and on-court and beach teammate Turner Lessard who is with the Falcons.


Camryn Dieleman commits to Dordt University
January 16, 2023
Congratulations to Camryn Dieleman who signed a commitment to play for Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa next year! Camryn will be continuing her volleyball passion while planning to major in Animal Science. Ballhawks' Coaches Mel Smyth and Todd Hamaguchi joined Camryn along with Dale Lahey (Ingrid Lahey was Camryn's HS coach at Chatham Christian) at her signing.

Original club co-founder Ingrid Lahey passed away Dec 17, 2022
December 21, 2022 ... Chatham Daily News
Volleyball coach Ingrid Lahey 'touched the lives of thousands'
Ingrid Lahey loved to share her passion for volleyball and for life itself.
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A longtime teacher, coach and on-court official, she led youth teams from across Chatham-Kent for nearly a half century.
Lahey, 73, died Sunday at her Chatham home after a long battle with colon cancer. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Dale, as well as their sons Cory and Scott, daughters-in-law Jen and Megan, and four grandchildren. “Besides all her achievements teaching and coaching, she was a great friend to many people and a wonderful mother and wife,” Dale said.
Born in Berlin in 1949, Lahey (nee Boehnke) came to Canada when she was three years old and grew up in the Mississauga area.She played volleyball at the University of Windsor and was the Lancers’ female athlete of the year in 1970-71.
A moment of silence was held before matches this week at Ursuline College Chatham and Chatham Christian High School. She coached at both. Ingrid and Dale were a “blessing” at Chatham Christian, where they helped to build the volleyball program, athletic director Sharon Smith said. The couple loved to socialize, she said. Everywhere the Flames went, people knew the Laheys and had fun stories to share. “Ingrid was a fierce competitor but loved the student-athletes so much,” Smith said. “She was so interested in hearing about their lives and the other coaches’ lives outside of volleyball and beyond high school also. We often swapped camping stories with each other. “She and Dale have been so dedicated, passionate and enthusiastic especially about volleyball but about life as well. She had the best huge smile and awesome laugh that just wrapped around you and was contagious.”
Ingrid Lahey spent the majority of her 26-year teaching career at Wallaceburg District Secondary School, where the Spirit Award is named for her. “Ingrid touched the lives of thousands of students and staff,” former WDSS colleague Gayle Stucke wrote online. “She will be missed by many and never forgotten.” In 1995, Lahey coached OFSAA gold medallists in badminton and girls’ volleyball at WDSS. That Tartans volleyball team was inducted into the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.
The Hall of Fame had previously honoured Lahey twice for her work as a coach and a builder.
“The volleyball world has lost a good one as have her family, friends, colleagues and alumni, all of which blend together,” former Windsor Lancers volleyball coach Marge Holman wrote online. “Once you met Ingrid, you would never forget her.”
Ingrid and Dale co-founded the original Chatham Ballhawks volleyball program in 1975. “(They) have been instrumental in the volleyball associated with the Chatham-Kent area since then,” Ballhawks president Clancy O’Hara said. “… Dale and Ingrid always still maintained a willingness to see the club meet its mission.”
Lahey won numerous championships with her high school and travel teams during a 45-year coaching career. She captained two women’s teams to provincial titles during a playing career that lasted more than 30 years.
She received the OFSAA Leadership in School Sport Award in 1992. She also co-founded a Chatham boys’ volleyball spring league that’s still running.
“Ingrid was especially so well-regarded in the volleyball and badminton community,” Dale Lahey said, pointing to the many condolences online. “A common theme I notice there is her positive motivating attitude and big smile.”

17U Ballhawks win Bronze medals
Dec 22ND, 2022, Chatham Daily News ...
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The Chatham Ballhawks 17U girls’ team won bronze medals at the Ontario Volleyball Association’s 17U Challenge Cup – Select A tournament Sunday in Hamilton.
The Ballhawks beat Smash Raiders Velocity 25-13, 18-25, 15-10 in the third-place match.
They lost to SC Bandits National 25-21, 25-9 in a semifinal after beating the Niagara Rapids Blitz 25-15, 18-25, 16-14 in a quarter-final.
In pool play, the Ballhawks beat MVC Kilimanjaro 25-20, 16-25, 17-15 and lost to Smash Raiders Velocity 25-17, 25-16.

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14U Ballhawks win Gold and Silver
Dec 22ND, 2022, Chatham Daily News ...
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The Chatham Ballhawks 14U girls’ teams won gold and silver medals at the Ontario Volleyball Association’s Challenge Cup – Trillium B tournament Saturday at Chatham-Kent Secondary School.
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Ballhawks Soar defeated Ballhawks Fly 25-23, 25-16 in the final.
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Soar swept the St. Thomas Express 25-8, 25-10 and Fly beat the Scorpions Ace 25-13, 25-15 in the semifinals. Soar defeated the Stratford Stingers Gold 25-12, 25-16 in a quarter-final, while Fly had a bye.
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In pool play, Soar swept the St Thomas Express Spikes 25-8, 25-14 and the Scorpions Ace 25-16, 25-21, while Fly beat the LVC Fire Erupt 25-10, 25-17, the Scorpions Stingers 25-1, 25-23 and the Stratford Stingers Gold 25-11, 25-12.
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16U Ballhawks win Gold
Dec 14TH, 2022, Chatham Daily News ...
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The Chatham 16U Ballhawks won gold medals at the Ontario Volleyball Association’s 16U Girls Challenge Cup – Trillium Green A tournament in Kitchener.
The Ballhawks swept the Milton Edge Rush 25-18, 25-21 in the final Sunday.
They beat E381 Chot 25-17, 25-11 in a semifinal and the Oakville Thunder 25-12, 25-13 in a quarter-final.
The Ballhawks beat the Milton Edge Rush 25-16, 25-17 and the Guelph Jr. Gryphons 25-21, 25-15 in pool play.

15U Ballhawks earn Bronze
Nov 28TH, 2022, Chatham Daily News ...
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The host Chatham 15U Ballhawks won Trillium B bronze medals at the Ontario Volleyball Association’s 15U Girls Provincial Cup on Saturday at Ursuline College Chatham.
The Ballhawks swept the Stratford Stingers Hornets 2-0 (25-14, 25-20) in the bronze-medal match.
They lost to the Ancaster Lions 2-1 (25-22, 14-25, 15-8) in a semifinal after beating the London Fire Wrath 2-0 (25-12, 25-6) in a quarter-final.
The Ballhawks went 2-0 in pool play by beating the KW Predators Jaguars 2-1 (25-22, 22-25, 15-9) and the Stingers Hornets 2-0 (26-24, 25-20).

17U Ballhawks win Silver Medals
Nov 23RD, 2022, Chatham Daily News ...
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The Chatham 17U Ballhawks won silver medals at Ontario Volleyball’s 17U Girls Provincial Cup last Saturday in Kitchener.
The Ballhawks lost to the host KW Predators Momentum 2-0 (25-14, 25-18) in the Championship A final.
They beat Forest City 2-0 (25-22, 25-11) in a semifinal and Smash Raiders Vortex 2-1 (25-19, 21-25, 15-13) in a quarter-final.
The Ballhawks went 1-1 in pool play, losing to the Waterloo Tigers 2-0 (27-25, 27-25) and sweeping the Cambridge Scorpions 2-0 (25-20, 25-21).

17U Ballhawks win Silver Medals
Nov 15TH, 2022, Chatham Daily News ...
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The Chatham 17U Ballhawks won silver medals in the 18U girls’ division at the Ontario Volleyball Association’s Provincial Cup tournament Saturday at Ursuline College Chatham ...
The Ballhawks lost to Stratford 2-0 (25-23, 25-20) in the final.
They beat Sarnia Twin Bridges 2-1 (22-25, 25-23, 15-7) in a semifinal and swept the London Intensity 2-0 (25-23, 25-16) in a quarter-final.
The Ballhawks were 2-0 in pool play with wins over Rose City United and the St. Thomas Express.

Lessard signs with Fanshawe
August 26, 2022
Congratulations and good luck to Ballhawks 18U Boys' Turner Lessard who has made the Fanshawe Falcons men's volleyball team for the upcoming 2022-23 season. Turner has played six years with the Chatham Ballhawks club program.

Ballhawks 2021-22 Year End Banquet
May 12, 2022
The Chatham Ballhawks celebrated the 2021-22 season in fine fashion at Retro Suites. Pictured are the award winners: Katie Graham (TNS-3), Meghan Kormendy (17g), Mataya DeCook (17g), Riley Graham (16g), Sophie Jubenville (15g-blue), Cohen Gillett (16b), Liam Cobb (18b) ... missing Hayden Heinhuis (TNS-1), Tegan Meredith (TNS-2), Rowan Agar (15g-white), Ethan Vandermeersch (17b)

16U Ballhawks win bronze medals
Apr 22ND, 2022, Chatham Daily News
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The Chatham Ballhawks 16U girls’ team won Division 2, Tier 1 bronze medals at the Ontario Volleyball Association provincial championships Tuesday in Waterloo.
The Ballhawks finished with an 8-2 match record at the three-day tournament.
They beat the Richmond Hill Thundercats 25-23, 25-20 in the bronze-medal match after a 26-24, 26-24 semifinal loss to the Hamilton Smash Vortex. They began the playoffs with a 25-20, 25-12 sweep of the North Bay Vision in the Round of 16 and then beat the Richmond Hill Venom 25-14, 25-17 in a quarter-final.
The Ballhawks went 2-1 in pool play and then went 3-0 in re-pool action.

Marcy Shaw commits to Durham Lords
Apr 19TH, 2022, Chatham Daily News
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Congratulations and good luck to Marcy Shaw who has committed to the Durham College women’s volleyball team for next season. Marcy has played six years with the Chatham Ballhawks club program. She’s also an experienced beach volleyball player who won silver at the Ontario Volleyball Association’s Division II under-16 championships and placed fourth at the Division II under-18 level. Lords head coach Tony Clarke said in a statement. “She has a great mindset that hard work pays off and has proven to be willing to work for everything she has earned."
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Ballhawks win gold in Waterloo
April 19TH, 2022, CKSN
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The Chatham Ballhawks TNS-3 Girls recently participated in the Ontario Volleyball TNS Girls Championships in Waterloo. The girls went into Division 4 ranked first and finished Strong after the first day of competition with a 3-0 record in pool play defeating the Cambridge Scorpions Chaos, Unity Tenacity and PVC Fire. Friday the group finished with a 2-1 record defeating Twin Bridges Thunder Crash and Phoenix Sparks, before dropping their first match to the Brant Tornadoes.
On Championship Saturday (Apr 16TH), the Ballhawks dispatched PVC Dynamite in the quarters and the Ancaster Lions in the semi finals.
The finals featured the Chatham squad up against the second ranked Cambridge Scorpions Chaos. The Ballhawks came out on top in a thrilling 25-6, 31-33, 15-13 victory to capture the gold medal.
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Former Ballhawks in the news:
Abby Sluys named Redeemer's female athlete of the year
April 11, 2022

Congratulation to former Ballhawks alumnus Abby Sluys (Ballhawks 2013-16) for being named Athlete of the year at Redeemer as well as being the MVP for the Women's Volleyball Team. As a 5th-year veteran on the Women's Volleyball team, Sluys concludes her career with the night's top honour. In the words of her head coach, Brad Douwes, "Abby's leadership lived up to and exceeded expectations throughout the year. Abby concludes her career, leading the team in points and service aces this season; a first in her career. But more importantly, Abby graduates after positively impacting her teammates and coaches throughout her time as a Royal." Pictured is Abby Sluys on the left with 2 other former Ballhawks alum, Rachel Annett (Ballhawks 2018-21), and Erica Bultje (Ballhawks 2016-18)
Former Ballhawks in the news:
March 20, 2022
Former Ballhawks alumni Laurin Ainsworth and Natalie Little helped guide the Brock Badgers to not only a perfect season; but more importantly, an OUA title. These ladies will travel with the second ranked Badgers to Calgary for the CIS championships March 25-27.




17U Ballhawks win Tournament Gold
Mar 9TH, 2022, Chatham Daily News
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The Chatham Ballhawks 17U girls team won gold at the Ontario Volleyball Association’s Bugarski Cup on Saturday in St. Catharines.
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The Ballhawks beat the Norfolk Grizzlies 2-1 (27-29, 25-17, 15-11) in the final.
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They swept the K-W Predators Chaos 2-0 (30-28, 25-15) in a semifinal and beat the St. Thomas Express 2-0 (25-15, 25-18) in a quarter-final.
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In pool play, the Ballhawks beat Toronto West 2-0 (25-15, 25-20) and the Cambridge Scorpions Toxins 2-0 (25-22, 25-23).

16U Ballhawks Golden in Niagara
Feb 17TH, 2022, Chatham Kent Sports Network ...
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The 16U Chatham Ballhawks travelled to the OVA Challenge Cup in Niagara Falls this past weekend and brought home gold.
In pool play, the Ballhawks kicked off the weekend by defeating Mission Volleyball Club (Kemptville) 2-0 [25-4, 25-11], following by Hummingbird Volleyball Club [Ajax] 2-0 [25-11, 25-23].
Advancing to the quarterfinals, Chatham knocked off Barrie Elites 2-0 [25-12, 25-19]. The team followed this up with a win over Rose City United [Windsor] 2-0 [25-19, 25-21] to advance to the finals.
Having not dropped a game, Chatham came up against a tough Peterborourgh Thunder squad, and played to a hard fought 2-1 [25-14, 24-26, 15-6] victory to take gold.

18U Ballhawks win Bronze
Dec 16TH, 2021, Chatham Daily News ...
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The Chatham 18U Ballhawks won bronze at an Ontario Volleyball Association boys’ tournament this past weekend in Hamilton.
The Ballhawks beat London’s LVC Havoc 17-25, 25-22, 18-16 in the bronze-medal match.
The Ballhawks were 1-1 in pool matches, then beat the Pakmen 25-13, 26-28, 15-11 in a quarter-final and lost to Ballistix 25-15, 25-20 in a semifinal.
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The Ballhawks are, front row, left: Turner Lessard, Carter Pittuck and Jake Thatcher. Back row: coach Colin Pittuck, Kaden Reid, Tyler Canniff, Alex Chickowski, Jacob Dufour, Hunter Hoskins, Liam Cobb, Nolan Haight and coach Todd Hamaguchi.

Reid commits to Windsor for next season
Dec 1ST, 2021 ...
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Congratulations to Kaden Reid for committing to University of Windsor for next season. Keep on working hard Kaden - the 18b's next see action Dec 11TH in Hamilton at Mohawk College in round 2 of OVA action.

Congratulations Kaden Reid (16U Boys) for making Ontario Team Red - best of luck training this summer Kaden!!
"All Team Ontario training is being done online during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reid receives interactive game-decision training, individual skills reps and physical training regimens. " [Chatham Daily News Jul 30-2020]


Laurin Ainsworth commits to Brock Badgers
Mar 23RD, 2020, CKSN ...
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Erie Beach’s Laurin Ainsworth will play OUA volleyball next season after committing to the Brock University Badgers women’s volleyball program.
Ainsworth, who will study kinesiology has been a member of Team Ontario’s volleyball team for the last several seasons along with playing for the Ballhawks.

14U Ballhawks Golden in London
Mar 12TH, 2020, CKSN ...
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The Chatham Ballhawks 14U Girls Blue team won gold this past weekend in OVA action in London on March 7 at the Bugarski Cup..
Overall, the Ballhawks went 10-1 in the tournament.
In Pool Play, Chatham beat Halton Hurricanes 2-0 and the Georgetown Impact 2-1.
Facing LC Hammerheads (London) in the quarterfinals Chatham came away with a 25-14, 25-21 win, before beating Forest City Banyan (London) 25-8, 25-10 in the semi-finals.
Playing the EVP Eagles (Oakville) in the championship match, Chatham continued their dominance winning 25-23, 25-17 to take home gold.


Gold and Bronze for Ballhawks
Mar 5TH, 2020, CKSN ...
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The 15U Boys Chatham Ballhawks won Gold this past weekend in Stratford at the 15U Boys Bugarski Cup.
Chatham went 12-1 overall beating Sky Volley Blue (Windsor) 25-5, 25-17 in the quarterfinals, Scorpions Alpha (Cambridge) 25-23, 25-17 in the semi finals, and the Ancaster Lions Fury 19-25, 25-20, 15-12 in the championship match.
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The 17U Girls Chatham Ballhawks won Bronze in Petrolia at the 17U Girls Bugarski Cup this past weekend going 8-2 overall.
In the quarterfinals, Chatham beat Twin Bridges Thunderblue (Sarnia) 25-16, 25-20, before falling to Twin Bridges Thunderstruck (Sarnia) 19-25, 15-25 in the semi finals.
The Ballhawks bounced back to beat LVC Fire Ignite (London) 25-23, 25-22 in the bronze medal match.