Season reaches halfway point
Nearly half way into the 2009-2010 volleyball season the men's team is currently sitting in a six way tie for fourth, while the women's team finds themselves in a six way tie for third. So as we look forward let's look back on what's been happening this season.
The season started with both teams eager to play in a season opening tournament as measuring stick. While the women walked away with a fifth place finish, the men's team had nothing but smiles on their faces when the gold medal was hung on their necks. After the golden start to the season, the men strode into the gym to practice while the women practiced with more fervour than before.
The season opener and home opener was in stark contrast to their tournament play. The women played with confidence and purpose as they swept their way to victory. The men also won their first game, which came with great happiness to coaches Josh Westgate, Rob Thorpe, and Rob Hannivan. Unfortunately that feeling of euphoria would soon disappear for both teams.
The next game the women fought hard but could not pull out a win against the St. Clair Saints; and while the men did beat the Saints, they fell hard to the Redeemer Royals.
“We made a lot of little mistakes, and those little mistakes added up. We needed to finish the games,” said libero Jordan McTavish.
After the game against the Saints, the women turned things around with a solid win against Redeemer, and then went on to win their next two games against the Sault Cougars and the Canadore Panthers, as did the men. The next week brought a team into the Fanshawe gym that has been a rival for years, Mohawk College. And while both teams played vigorously and fought hard, neither the men nor the women could walk away with a win; the women pushed it to set five, and the men lost in set four. After the disappointing losses to Mohawk, the teams shook it off and started getting ready for the big Humber College Tournament.
Tournaments are a great way to try out new attack styles, play the younger players, and do all the things you cannot do in pressure situations. While neither team won the tournament, both teams played well and placed high. Coming out of the tournament put them back into season mode as they came head to head with the Niagara Knights. After a tough battle the men could not pull off the win, but the women on the other hand took the win from the opposing Knights.
The season started with both teams eager to play in a season opening tournament as measuring stick. While the women walked away with a fifth place finish, the men's team had nothing but smiles on their faces when the gold medal was hung on their necks. After the golden start to the season, the men strode into the gym to practice while the women practiced with more fervour than before.
The season opener and home opener was in stark contrast to their tournament play. The women played with confidence and purpose as they swept their way to victory. The men also won their first game, which came with great happiness to coaches Josh Westgate, Rob Thorpe, and Rob Hannivan. Unfortunately that feeling of euphoria would soon disappear for both teams.
The next game the women fought hard but could not pull out a win against the St. Clair Saints; and while the men did beat the Saints, they fell hard to the Redeemer Royals.
“We made a lot of little mistakes, and those little mistakes added up. We needed to finish the games,” said libero Jordan McTavish.
After the game against the Saints, the women turned things around with a solid win against Redeemer, and then went on to win their next two games against the Sault Cougars and the Canadore Panthers, as did the men. The next week brought a team into the Fanshawe gym that has been a rival for years, Mohawk College. And while both teams played vigorously and fought hard, neither the men nor the women could walk away with a win; the women pushed it to set five, and the men lost in set four. After the disappointing losses to Mohawk, the teams shook it off and started getting ready for the big Humber College Tournament.
Tournaments are a great way to try out new attack styles, play the younger players, and do all the things you cannot do in pressure situations. While neither team won the tournament, both teams played well and placed high. Coming out of the tournament put them back into season mode as they came head to head with the Niagara Knights. After a tough battle the men could not pull off the win, but the women on the other hand took the win from the opposing Knights.
