Northern Ontario's Scharf joined by daughter at Scotties Tournament of Hearts

Sixteen-year-old Bella McCarville is serving as an alternate for her mother, Northern Ontario skip Krista Scharf, and the team opened with a 7-4 win over Alberta at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Krista Scharf is competing at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts with her 16-year-old daughter, Bella McCarville, listed as the team's alternate. The Northern Ontario rink opened the national women's curling championship with a 7-4 victory over Alberta's Kayla Skrlik. McCarville finished her Grade 11 exams earlier in the week and traveled to the event with the support of her school. Scharf is a two-time Scotties finalist and this is her 13th appearance. Key details: - Bella McCarville, 16, is the alternate for Northern Ontario skip Krista Scharf. - Northern Ontario defeated Alberta's Kayla Skrlik 7-4 in their opening game. - McCarville completed Grade 11 exams earlier in the week and missed one regular school day for the event. - McCarville could be used in the event of illness or injury or to play an end in a lopsided game. - Scharf returned to her maiden name last August and is making her 13th Scotties appearance. Summary: The presence of McCarville brings a family element to the Northern Ontario team while she experiences the national championship environment. The team will play another round-robin session Saturday night at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre. Results from those games will determine how the team moves forward in the tournament.