ST. CATHARINES – Defeating the York Lions in an OUA semifinal showdown at Bob Davis Gymnasium on Saturday night, the No. 2 Brock Badgers women’s volleyball team secured their spot in the Quigley Cup championship final for a third consecutive season. Set scores in the four set victory were 25-16, 25-27, 25-16, 25-21.
The Badgers entered the Saturday night contest as the top team in the OUA, finishing the regular season with a conference best 18-2 record, and defeating the Windsor Lancers in the OUA quarter-final round. Meanwhile, York delivered a stunning upset of the McMaster Marauders the week prior to earn their place in the semifinals, after placing fifth in the regular season at 12-8.
On the court, the combination of a strong start from a trio of Badgers in Madison Chimienti, Emily Foest, and Grace Pyatt, along with a slow start from the Lions with a number of attacking errors saw Brock quickly take the first set 25-16.
In the second set, Sadie Dick opened the action with several power shots from the right side to help the Badgers close an early gap, but key points from York’s Olivia Kim and a final service ace from Jessica Reynolds sealed the 27-25 second set victory for the Lions.
Following the set break, both teams came back on the court delivering back-and-forth action all the way to the 10-10 mark. Breaking the tie, Madison Tuck substituted in for the Badgers and proceeded to go on a service run that allowed Brock to jump ahead by three before the home team was able to further build the advantage into a 25-16 third set win.
Rebounding quickly, York was able to garner a 10-5 lead over Brock early in the fourth with Reynolds and Kim once again offering the Lions a versatile attack. However following a timeout, Brock substitution Laurin Ainsworth sparked the Badgers attack, and after drawing even late, setter Sara Rohr notched the eventual match winner as the Badgers captured the fourth 25-21.
Dick led the way for the Badgers tallying a game-high 19 points from 17 kills and four block assists. Serving up strong hits from the opposite side, Chimienti notched 14 total points with 13 kills and an ace, while also adding 11 digs defensively. In the middle, Pyatt notched 11 kills, one ace, and two block assists for 13 points. Rounding out the double-digit performances for the Brock, Foest recording 10.5 points with eight kills, two aces, and one block assist.
Guiding Brock’s plethora of offensive options, Rohr finished the four-set contest with 52 total assists, while defensive specialist Aleiah Torres produced a game-high 18 digs.
For the Lions, Kim topped all players with 16.5 points from 14 kills, two service aces, and one block assist.
Advancing to the Quigley Cup championship for the third consecutive season, Brock will match up with the Queen’s Gaels next Saturday, Mar. 11. As the No. 1 seed in the OUA postseason the Badgers will have the privilege of hosting the championship match at Bob Davis Gymnasium. A confirmed start time and further ticket information is still to come.
BADGERS AT A GLANCE
Overall Record: 27-2 (W-L)
Conference Record: 18-2
Next match: Saturday, March 11 vs Queen’s Gaels – TBD – Bob Davis Gymnasium