CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – It’s a bitter pill to swallow for the Holland College Hurricanes women’s volleyball team after a brooming at home by the Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) Mystics in a pair of weekend matches.
The Mystics finished what it started on Saturday with a 3-1 (25-15, 26-24, 20-25, 25-15) victory on Sunday at Holland College and have a commanding 8-0 record atop the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) standings.
Saturday, MSVU won a close 3-2 match (21-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-19, 15-13).
The ‘Canes dropped to 3-2 after a 3-0 start and again couldn’t get over the hump against the mainland powerhouse, which has won eight straight ACAA titles, including the last three versus Holland College.
A 29-19 disadvantage in errors and 11-9 lead in service errors didn’t help the ‘Canes cause. Neither did MSVU jumping out to 14-9, 13-8 and 15-4 leads in the first, second and fourth sets, respectively.
For left side hitter and Charlottetown native Samantha Gerbig, it came down to the ‘Canes putting themselves in a hole too many times.
“We tried to rally. In the third we got back a couple of points, but it’s hard to come back. Just wasn’t enough today,” said Gerbig, who finished with six kills and a game-high four service aces. “At practice we’ll look at the game tapes and rally for next weekend (at UNBSJ). Definitely fix those errors and come back stronger than ever.”
Holland College dropped the first two sets, hurt especially by a disheartening two-point loss in the second where it had a 24-22 lead plowed under by four straight MSVU points thanks to middle Laura MacDonnell serving out the win.
Holland College found some traction in the third by keeping the set close. Neither team had more than a two-point edge throughout until Gerbig’s service work gave the ‘Canes a 23-19 advantage that Alice Marques closed out for a 25-20 win.
- MSVU’s size, fewer mistakes and better execution in the fourth set proved too much for Holland College to overcome.
MacDonnell, a Dartmouth, N.S., native, said that fourth set win came directly from adjustments made between sets and more talking it up on the court as the team wanted to complete the road sweep against its closest rival.
“We relied a lot on communication. I think we needed to change how we communicated and we changed a lot in that set,” said MacDonnell, who had two service aces and a game-high three blocks. “It’s a big thing for us. We’ve been looking forward to (these games) for a while.”
Holland College travels to Saint John, N.B., to face UNBSJ on Saturday. Game time is 2 p.m.
It’s the last ‘Canes game until after the holiday break. The season resumes Saturday, Jan. 6.
Instant Replay
At look at the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball game Sunday in Charlottetown.
The Outcome – Mount Saint Vincent defeated Holland College 3-1 (15-25, 26-24, 20-15, 25-15).
Kills
Mount Saint Vincent – Madison Urquhart, 11, Jenn Lecky, 10, Jasmine Smith, 8.
Holland College – Brittany States, 9, Alice Marques, 8, Megan LeBlanc, 7.
Digs
Mount Saint Vincent – Jaylene Fraser, 24, Jami-Lea Smith, 20, Madison Urquhart, 9.
Holland College – Dana Trainor, 21, Gracie Ferguson, 15, Alice Marques, 13.
Errors
Mount Saint Vincent – Madison Urquhart, 6, Jenn Lecky, 5, Jasmine Smith, 4.
Holland College – Megan LeBlanc, 8, Philicia Johnson, 7, Alice Marques, Samantha Gerbig, 4.
Service Aces
Mount Saint Vincent – Laura MacDonnell, Jenn Lecky, 2, Madison Urquhart, Nicole McCulloch, Jaylene Fraser, 1. Holland College – Samantha Gerbig, 4, Gracie Ferguson, 3, Brittany States, 2.
Service Errors
Mount Saint Vincent – Jaylene Fraser, Jasmine Smith 3, Madison Urquhart 2, Nicole McCulloch, 1.
Holland College – Gracie Ferguson, 3, Alice Marques, Megan Leblanc, Emma Joudrey, 2, Philicia Johnson, Samantha Gerbig, 1.
Blocks
Mount Saint Vincent – Laura MacDonnell, 3, Madison Urquhart, Nicole McCulloch, Jaylene Fraser, Janine Marshall, 1.
Holland College – Gracie Ferguson, Philicia Johnson, 1.
