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Laura Williamson, Tamar Vandenberghe, Lorna Spenner, Laura Eby, and Darlene Gammel, the Yukon representatives at the 2021 Scotties Tournament of Hearts returned home Friday from Calgary and are completing their two-week self isolation.

The team went 0-8 but Eby, the skip, said it was a great week.

鈥淚t felt surreal to be there,鈥� said Eby. 鈥淚t was a whirlwind of a week but it was an amazing experience. Mentally and physically I am spent.鈥�

Eby was tough on her performance but had nothing but praise for her teammates.

鈥淭he team curled really well,鈥� said Eby. 鈥淜udos to them. Against Northern Ontario, I had a minute left to shoot my two rocks and I choked, sending one out the back.鈥�

Team Yukon lost to Northern Ontario 8-7 in their fifth draw of the Scotties.

The team started their tournament against Wild Card 3 skipped by Beth Peterson of Winnipeg and conceded 10-2.

鈥淲e struggled in the beginning,鈥� said Eby. 鈥淲e realized the adjustments later.鈥�

It was the first Scotties for the members of Team Yukon. Before heading to Calgary, Eby said the team wanted to gain experience. Through the nerves and some anxiety, she believes they accomplished that goal.

鈥淭here were times in the hack where I was like 鈥業鈥檓 at the Scotties, I鈥檓 about to throw a stone at the Scotties,鈥欌�� said Eby. 鈥淲e just had to go out there and pretend it was just a regular game.

鈥淭he learning curve was huge. But, now we know how to handle situations, what to do and what to expect.鈥�

Team Yukon was in Pool A, which featured the two teams who played the championship draw 鈥� Team Canada, skipped by Kerri Einarson and Team Ontario, skipped by Rachel Homan.

The final, won by Einarson, was a rematch of the 2020 Scotties, also won by Einarson.

鈥淭he pool was tough,鈥� said Eby. 鈥淏ut, you have to play the best to get better. They ironed out the small stuff that we haven鈥檛 yet. Now we know.鈥�

Eby said the team played Team Canada and Ontario strongly.

鈥淲e played well against both teams,鈥� said Eby. 鈥淲e stole three from Einarson early, then to score seven on them was a big accomplishment.鈥�

Team Yukon lost to Team Canada 11-7 and 8-3 to Team Ontario.

Curling Canada is hosting all its major tournaments in a bubble at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary. Eby said it was rocky to start but got better.

鈥淲e were the first event so there were lots of changes in the first three, four days,鈥� said Eby. 鈥淭hey will have it ironed out for the Brier. They did a great job considering.鈥�

Because of the bubble, there were no fans, something Eby was grateful for.

鈥淲e were thankful there were no fans, the anxiety was reduced,鈥� said Eby.

鈥淚鈥檓 sure the other teams were feeling it, but we didn鈥檛 have much to compare it to. There was one point were there was no sound and you could hear a pin drop.

鈥淔or the big name teams I am sure it was different.鈥�

Now that they are home, Eby said she is going to enjoy watching the Tim Hortons Brier beginning March 5. She thinks the Yukon team will have a good shot.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e a good hitting team,鈥� said Eby. 鈥淚f they keep it clean and keep the opponent rocks out of the house they will do well.鈥�