Hawks and Blues to clash in CCAA final

Match 5: Lethbridge Kodiaks 3, Holland Hurricanes 0

The Lethbridge Kodiaks defeated the Holland Hurricanes 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-17) in the first match of Day 2 at the 2020 CCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship.

The first set was tight between the two as the Hurricanes’ Gordon Veitch started the set with two major kills. Carter Hansen of the Kodiaks answered with two consecutive kills to put Lethbridge ahead for good in the set. 

The Hurricanes started the second set off strong with some strong net play from Nick Blewett, but this time it was Michael Hummel answering the call to lead the Kodiaks to the set win. 

Lethbridge came into this match after losing their fourth-year setter Zach Wikenheiser to a knee injury, forcing rookie Nash Shipton into action. 

“Nash did a really good job of getting the ball to our other players in today’s game,” said Kodiaks head coach Greg Gibos. “We had a little bit of nerves early on, especially due to injuries in yesterday’s game, but we settled down and this win is a great start to the future of our team and our program.” 

Both teams entered the third set strong, but the Kodiaks were just too strong this day, finishing the final set with a score of 25-17 and game score of 3-0.

“Today was definitely an accomplishment for us with our first championship win,” said Shipton. “We know we are one of the best teams in the country, so going into the next game knowing who we play we have to keep that confidence.”

Players of the Game were Nick Blewett of the Hurricanes and Nash Shipton of the Kodiaks.

Match 6: St. Thomas Tommies 3, Durham Lords 1

The St. Thomas Tommies kept their medal hopes alive with a 3-1 (25-18, 20-25, 26-24, 25-22) victory over the Durham Lords. 

It is just the third time an ACAA team won a match at Nationals. In 2015, the Tommies defeated the eventual bronze medalists from Niagara College. 

Adam McDougall paced the Tommies in the first set with four kills to lead his team.

The Tommies lost steam in the second set with the Lords coming back strong. Lords outside hitter Rouzbeh Rahnavard turned in a strong performance as well, with fifth-year setter Liam Gray stuffing some monster blocks at the net. 

“Everyone had some great plays, both defensively and offensively, and I think it came down to who executed the little things a little bit better,” said McDougall after the match. “Everybody here is the highest of caliber so you have to fight every game to win.”

Both teams entered the third set fighting for the win, with eight score ties in this set. Christian Christie, the CCAA All-Canadian from St. Thomas, gave several major kills in this set and ended it with a service ace. 

The fourth and final set was unlike no other with Tommies’ Christie and McDougall combining for nine kills as the Tommies took the game 3-1. 

Players of the Game were Rahnavard of the Lords and McDougall for the Tommies. 

The game was once again played without a crowd, which had Tommies’ head coach Henri Mallet thankful they were playing the matches. 

“We are lucky to be here, and we are trying to take full advantage of it, and I think we have been pretty successful on that end.”

Match 7: Humber Hawks 3, Volontaires de Sherbrooke 0

The Humber Hawks were victorious in their match against Volontaires de Sherbrooke, sweeping them three sets straight. 

Third year setter, Jake Gomes, from the Hawks said that the team's success came from the serving line. “We served tough,” said Gomes. 

The Hawks took off with a quick lead over the Volontaires, 15-8 in the first set and wouldn’t look back. With several blocks from Humber, they managed to end the set with a score of 25 - 17. 

The Volontaires switched it up in the second set as Jonathon Portelance put them on the board. However, their lead didn't last, as the Hawks quickly took over, and the Hawks racked their lead to 11-5. The Volontaires managed to push back and cut down the Hawks lead, but not enough to win the set. The Hawks took the set 25-23.

The Hawks continued to push their way ahead in the third set. With an early lead of 5-0, until Zachary Hollands put the Volontaires on the board. 

The Hawks managed to keep their lead with some big blocks, and solid serving throughout the set. The Volontaires again trailed the Hawks for the majority of the set, they managed to trail closely with some game saving blocks and kills. However, Humber took the final set with a score of 25-20. 

Head coach Wayne Wilkins was impressed with the team’s performance. 

“Super happy with the guys,” Wilkins said. “They’re ready and they proved it tonight and I can’t wait for tomorrow.” 

Zachary Hollands of the Volontaires de Sherbrooke led the charge for his team with 14 kills, and 11 digs. While for the Humber Hawks Rezart Sadiku led his team with 13 kills, and two digs.

Match 8: Capilano Blues 3, Red Deer Kings 2

The Capilano Blues and the Red Deer Kings faced off in a semi-final game of the CCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship. Both teams fought and played hard, but it was the Blues who ended up being victorious with a score of 3-2. 

Blues head coach, Dave Dooley, noted that he was impressed with his team's efforts throughout each set. “I couldn’t be more proud of them,” he said. 

In the first set the Blues’ Ben Friesen was the first to get the game going with points on the board. Both teams showcased their skill through rallies and kills. 

Throughout the set the lead fluctuated, and for the majority of the set both teams were within one point of each other. In a tight and well fought first set the Blues won with a score of 25-22. 

Into the second set the Kings snatched the first point. From there the Kings continued to push their lead taking the second in a score of 25 – 14 and carried that momentum into the third set to take their first lead in the match, 2-1. 

While in the fourth set it was Mark DeWit of the Kings who opened set with a massive kill. However, soon after Rafael Hilario put the Blues out in front of the Kings, and from there the Blues continued their lead. The Blues took the fourth set with a score of 25 -14.

In the final set the both teams battled for the win, but it ended up being the Blues who would be advancing to the championship game. The set ended in a score of 15 - 13. 

“We were really stoked to come in here and play this team,” said Blues player Simon Friesen. “We knew that if we played our game, we’d have a good story to tell.” 

Those who led the march in this match for the Blues were Simon Friesen with 46 assists, and one kill, as well as Rafael Hilario with 18 kills. While for the Kings Carter Hills led the team with 20 kills, and Thomas Wass had 37 assists and one kill.