Mariners topple Royals for CCAA crown
Gold Medal Match: VIU Mariners 3, Douglas Royals 1
As anticipated, the early points in the match set the tone for what was to come. The Mariners came out firing on all cylinders and the Royals answered with the same intensity. At 18-16, the Royals called a time out and again at 21-17 as the Mariner’s block was impenetrable. To no avail, the Mariners took the first set 25-19.
In the 2nd set, Douglas jumped to a 5-2 lead with a couple of key kills from outside hitter, Vania Oliveira. That lead quickly dissipated as the Mariners stormed back into a 17-12 lead, as the setter, Chantal Cumming moved the ball around with controlled precision. The Mariners continued to put on the pressure and eventually won 25-20.
Determination and patience prevailed in the 3rd set as the Royals, dug deep to challenge the Mariners with a quick 12-6 lead. The Mariners, as they have done all weekend, turned up the intensity, closing the gap but not quite enough as the Royals won 25-23.
Once again, the Mariners aggressive intensity and high sense of purpose roared them into a 9-5 lead early in the set. Their evenly distributed offense and relentless defense created difficulties for the Royals. Endless rallies, hard hitting, incredible digs and blocking combined with spectacular setting from both sides made for a fantastic final. The Mariners finished out the 4th set winning the National Championship with a score of 25-16.
Player of the Game for the Douglas Royals went to Vicky Schley with 7 kills and 19 digs. Taylor Wickson received the Player of the Game for the VIU Mariners with 8 kills, 4 digs and 11 blocks.
Douglas' Player of the Game: Vicky Schley
VIU's Player of the Game: Taylor Wickson
Bronze Medal Match: Lakeland Rustlers 3, Humber Hawks 0
The Lakeland Rustlers, CCAA champions a year ago, earned bronze with a straight-sets victory over the Humber Hawks.
The Rustlers wasted no time jumping to a 13-5 start lead by leftside, Ahnika Ruse, with 6 early kills. The Hawks tried to build back some momentum but couldn’t catch the Rustlers as they finished the set, 25-15.
In the second set, the Hawks rose to the challenge, trading points and staying in the game until 21-20. A couple of blocks and service aces by the Rustlers ended the second set 25-20.
Fatigue was definitely a factor in the third set as both teams were playing their second match of the day and fourth of the tournament. Still pounding the ball, both teams pushed each other to the limit.
Outstanding play from both teams to the very end, the Rustlers outlasted the Hawks with a 25-16 victory earning them a well deserved Bronze medal.
Player of the Game for the Humber Hawks with 7 kills and 3 digs went to Brynne Spence-Coleman. Setter, Rae Sigurdson, with 39 assists, 1 kill, 1 block and 3 digs took home the Player of the Game honour for the Lakeland Rustlers.
Lakeland's Player of the Game: Rae Sigurdson
Humber's Player of the Game: Brynne Spence-Coleman
Match 11: GPRC Wolves 3, Boomerang d'Andre-Laurendau 0
For their third game on home soil, the Wolves took to the court hungry for the win. In the first set the Wolves kept up the attack but a host of errors allowed the Boomerangs to tie it up late in the set. Both teams fought it out with long rallies before the Wolves closed out the first set 29-27.
There were some great moments in the second and third sets from both teams but the Wolves managed to hold the lead and stay in control winning both sets, 25-20 and 25-21.
Player of the Game for the GPRC Wolves, was setter, Sarah Sholter, with 3 kills, 6 digs and 34 assists.
The Andre-Laurendeau Boomerangs Player of the Game was given to Victoria Tremblay with 6 kills and 3 digs.
Andre-Laurendeau's Player of the Game: Victoria Tremblay
GPRC's Player of the Game: Sarah Sholter
Match 10: Humber Hawks 3, MSVU Mystics 0
The 2nd match of the day had the MSVU Mystics and Humber Hawks playing each other the right to play for Bronze later tonight.
After losing a very hard fought match with Douglas College the night before, the Hawks came out swinging despite losing captain and libero Kyla Wilkins to injury from the previous game. While the Mystics worked hard, they struggled with consistency throughout the match. Strong offensive play and blocking from the powerful Hawks front row were too much for the Mystics to handle. The Hawks swept the match 25-17, 25-20 and 25-21. They will meet the Lakeland Rustlers to battle for the Bronze.
Jasmine Smith was awarded player of the game with 6 kills, 3 digs and 1 ace from the MSVU Mystics. Middle, Nicole Collard was the player of the game for the Hawks with 7 kills, 1 dig, 1 block and 1 assist.
Humber's Player of the Game: Nicole Collard
MSVU's Player of the Game: Jasmine Smith
Match 9: Lakeland Rustlers 3, Elans de Garneau 0
The Bronze Qualifier featured the Rustlers against the Elans to kick off the final day of competition.
These closely matched teams started out the first set a bit tentative as the past couple of days were weighing their toll. The pace quickly heated up and neither team was willing to let the other get too comfortable as they traded points back and forth. The Rustlers outlasted the Elans in the final moments with a 27-25 win.
The second set continued in a similar fashion as both teams fought hard to take the lead. Solid defense on both sides kept the ball in play throughout this set once again keeping the game very close. In the dying points of the set, the Rustlers seized their opportunity to win 25-22.
In the 3rd set, the Rustler’s confidence was building and they began to play a more aggressive game against the Elans. While Garneau’s scrappy defense kept the rallies long and exciting, Lakeland prevailed to win 25-17 and earn one of the spots in the Bronze game later in the day.
Player of the Game for the Elans de Garneau was awarded to Laurence Flamand with 7 kills, 11 digs and 2 service aces. Ahnika Kuse of the Lakeland Ruslers was honored with Player of the Game with 16 kills and 12 digs.
Lakeland's Player of the Game: Ahnika Kuse
Garneau's Player of the Game: Laurence Flamand
