BARRIE, Ont. - It came down to a thrilling fifth set tiebreak, but in the end it was the Mohawk Mountaineers who claimed the gold medal at the 2014 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Men's Volleyball Championship hosted at Georgian College in Barrie, Ont.
After claiming the first set 25-22, the Mountaineers found themselves in trouble dropping two straight sets to the OCAA's top-ranked team the Humber Hawks by scores of 25-16 and 25-22.
With their backs against the wall, the Mountaineers staved off elimination multiple times and eventually got the better of the Hawks in an incredible 30-28 fourth set sending the match to a fifth set tiebreak.
In the game's final frame the Mountaineers carried all the momentum and clinched the gold medal with a 15-8 set to win the match 3-2.
Mohawk's Trevor McLaughlin put together a 21-point performance in the final game including 18 kills while adding 14 digs. Terrel Bramwell who was named the championships most valuable player had a brilliant performance in the final for Humber as he posted 27 kills in helping his team earn the silver medal.
For the Mountaineers it's their fourth consecutive year medaling at the OCAA championship and their first gold medal since the 2007-08 season. For Humber they have now medaled in four of the last five years and return to the podium after being shut out a season ago.
Both the Mountaineers and the Humber Hawks have qualified for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men's Volleyball National Championship which takes place Mar. 4-8 at Briercrest College and Seminary in Moose Jaw, Sask.
After winning each of their semi-final matches in the third place side the Fanshawe Falcons and Algonquin Thunder squared off for the bronze medal in their second games of the day. Algonquin, who were pushed to the limit by the Durham Lords in a five set marathon in the semis, seemed to run out of gas in the bronze final.
Fanshawe came out aggressive leading to a clean 3-0 sweep over the Thunder by set scores of 25-19, 25-16, and 25-22 to earn the bronze medal at the championship.
Derek Braun was named player of the game for Fanshawe after a 13-point effort while Ian McAlpine was awarded player of the game for Algonquin with a seven-point effort.
The bronze medal for Fanshawe is the first time they have won a medal at the event since the 2006-07 season when they also earned bronze.
Championship Website: www.georgiancollege.ca/campus-life/athletics/2014-ocaa-mens-volleyball-championship/
OCAA MEN'S VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Thursday, February 20
Quarter-Finals
Game 1 - Fanshawe 3, George Brown 0
Game 2 - Mohawk 3, Algonquin 0
Game 3 - Durham 3, Niagara 2
Game 4 - Humber 3, Georgian 0
Friday, February 21
Bronze Quarter-Finals
Game 5 - Algonquin 3, George Brown 2
Game 6 - Niagara 3, Georgian 1
Semi-Finals
Game 7 - Mohawk 3, Fanshawe 1
Game 8 - Humber 3, Durham 0
Saturday, February 22
Bronze Semi-Finals
Game 9 - Fanshawe 3, Niagara 1
Game 10 - Algonquin 3, Durham 2
Bronze Medal Match
Game 11 - Fanshawe 3, Algonquin 0
Gold Medal Match
Game 12 - Mohawk 3, Humber 2
Source: Georgian College
- OCAA -
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E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com