Match 8: Red Deer Kings 3, VIU Mariners 0
In the semi-final match, the host Red Deer College Kings downed the VIU Mariners in three sets (25-23, 25-20 and 26-24), advancing to the national championship final against the Fanshawe Falcons on Saturday.
In the first set, Braydon Brouwer powered the PACWEST Champion Mariners to an early lead, but the Kings responded to even it 11-11. RDC Setter Tom Wass contributed on both sides of the ball, recording seven assists, one dig and one stuff, leading to a 25-23 decision for the host team.
The Mariners had another strong start in the second set but RDC went on a 12-7 run, eventually securing a 25-20 win.
In the third set, back-to-back blocks from CCAA Player of the Year Regan Fathers on the right pushed the Kings ahead, but VIU kept things close. Red Deer managed to maintain a two-point margin and earned a 26-24 decision to advance to the gold medal match.
Red Deer Player of the Game: Mark Dewit
VIU Player of the Game: Braydon Brouwer
Match 7: Fanshawe Falcons 3, Keyano College Huskies 2
In the first semi-final match of the CCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship, it was a battle between the Fanshawe Falcons and Keyano Huskies that went the distance. After trailing two sets to one, the Falcons earned an exciting five set victory (25-19, 21-25, 21-25, 25-22 and 15-12) to advance to the final.
The OCAA Champion Falcons claimed the first set while the ACAC Champion Huskies answered back by taking the second. Keyano won the third set to take the lead in the match but Fanshawe then responded by winning the fourth.
Fourth-year student-athlete Mike Liscumb recorded an ace for Fanshawe to even the fourth set 10-10. A late kill from Zach Albert, his ninth, helped Fanshawe complete a 25-22 decision, sending the match to a fifth set.
In the fifth and deciding set, the Huskies jumped ahead 7-5 with kills from Liam Matheson and Radoslaw Brzozowski. However, the Falcons came back and James Jackson solidified a 15-12 decision from the right, advancing to the championship final.
Fanshawe Player of the Game: James Jackson
Keyano Player of the Game: Liam Matheson
Match 6: Titans de Limoilou 3, Humber Hawks 0
In the bronze quarter final, the RSEQ Champion, the Titans de Limoilou, led by RSEQ’s Player of the Year Nicolas Fortin, defeated the OCAA Wildcard entry Humber Hawks in three sets (25-18, 25-23 and 25-21).
Early in the first set, Jonathan Girard energized the Titans with a trio of kills, pushing his team ahead. Humber’s Rafael Hilario responded with a pair of strong spin serves, testing Limoilou’s defense. A left side block by the Titans helped cap off a 25-18 decision.
Midway through the second set, the Titans went on a 5-1 run but the Hawks battled back to within a pair (18-20). The two-point margin held up for the Titans and they capped off a 25-23 win.
In the third set, trailing 16-11, Limoilou was led by All-Canadian Nicolas Fortin’s two kills and went on a 7-0 run to push ahead (18-16). That run sparked the Titans and they sealed a 25-21 victory, taking the match in three sets.
Limoilou Player of the Game: Nicolas Fortin
Humber Player of the Game: Jake Gomes
Match 5: Griffons de l’Outaouais 3, Holland Hurricanes 0
In the bronze quarter final, the RSEQ Wildcard entry, the Griffons de l’Outaouais, were powered by a 15-kill performance from Alexis Tournier and downed the ACAA Champion Holland Hurricanes in three sets (25-14, 25-18 and 25-19).
A pair of early service aces from Alexis Tournier gave the Griffons an early edge in the first set. The Hurricanes pushed back but the Griffons battled through and capped off a 25-14 win.
The give and take was more balanced early in the second set with the score tied at multiple points. Then Alexis Tournier started to heat up on the left side, which seemed to spark his team, and the Griffons finalized a 25-18 decision.
With back-to-back aces from Alexis Tournier, l’Outaouais powered out to a 4-1 lead in the third set. Momentum swayed back and forth but the Griffons eventually took charge, and sealed a 25-19 victory, taking the match in three sets.
Outaouais Player of the Game: Alexis Tournier
Holland Player of the Game: Brett Butler