Weldon, an elite setter, was chosen to represent the province at this week's national volleyball championships in Calgary. However, making the cut for Team Ontario turned out to be a challenge for the 17-year-old Waterdown resident.

As a player on the Mountain Athletic Club U17 team, a lot of Weldon's time has been spent practicing, training and competing with the local team. Scheduling became an issue when the U17 girls found themselves participating in the Beast of the East tournament in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the High Performance Camp tryouts.

With her dedication to the sport and her teammates, Weldon prioritized and chose to participate in the east coast volleyball tournament and leave the opportunity of trying out for the provincial team behind.

"I didn't want to leave my team hanging," she said, adding that after the tryouts, she received an email from members of the High Performance Camp asking her why she wasn't present at the tryouts and if she would be interested in participating in the Team Ontario selection process.

The High Performance Camp, held at Humber College, invited 40 girls from across the province to perfect their volleyball skills and learn new ones. After six days of intense training, 12 of the players were selected to make up the U17 provincial team - including Weldon - and 12 others made the cut for the U18 squad.

"When I got chosen to be on the team, it felt so surreal," said Weldon. "That's a really big thing. I didn't realize it until the day after."

Weldon was slated to travel to Toronto to take part in a 10-day training session with her new teammates before heading off to Calgary on July 23. Residing on the University of Toronto campus, the goal was to gel as a team, explained Weldon.

"I think that since we all have skills and we know how to play volleyball, we are going to be focusing on playing as a team and being quick," she said, adding that British Columbia and Manitoba both have very strong volleyball teams.

The opportunity to play on the U17 provincial team has not only enabled Weldon to learn more about her favourite sport, but has allowed for the formation of lasting friendships, she added.

Entering Grade 12 at Waterdown District High School in September, Weldon intends to maintain her 85 per cent academic average while participating in as many sports as possible.

So far in her high school career, she has earned countless awards and distinctions, including Female Athlete of the Year at the Parkside Drive school's Athletic Banquet. She has also been involved in numerous extracurricular activities, such as the WDHS drama and improvisation clubs.

DISCIPLINE

When asked how she finds time for extracurricular activities, Weldon said, "I think it's all about discipline. Sometimes I don't get to go to things like parties or dances, but that's one of the things that I chose."

Proud mom Bonnie told the Review that she has yet to miss a volleyball match and plans on making the trip to Calgary to watch her daughter compete. She also noted that Weldon has truly earned her spot on the Team Ontario squad.

"She puts so much time and energy, and focuses on everything that the coaches are explaining to her; she has so much respect for them and her teammates...I'm just so proud," said Bonnie.

Although Weldon still has one more year of high school before entering a post-secondary educational facility, she noted that she intends to keep up with the sport in hopes of playing for a varsity team.

"I definitely want to continue it through university, but I know that education comes first. I don't know what life would be like if I didn't have volleyball," said Weldon.