MOOSE JAW, Sask. - The second seeded Mohawk Mountaineers survived a major scare at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men's Volleyball National Championship in Moose Jaw Sask., Thursday, just getting by the seventh seeded St. Thomas University Tommies of Fredericton, N.B. 3-2.

The Mountaineers advanced to the semi-finals Friday at 9 p.m., against the winner of the quarter-final between the Douglas Royals of B.C. and the host Briercrest Clippers.

St. Thomas beat Mohawk 25-20 in the first set which was fraught with service errors.

The second set was not looking good for the Mountaineers either, but they rallied from a five point deficit to win 27-25.

The Tommies had a relatively easy time in the third game, winning 25-14 and looked like they could make it a relatively short night.

But Mohawk was equally impressive in set number four, which they took 25-16.

That set up the fifth and deciding set and Mohawk appeared in pretty good shape leading 12-8, but a gritty effort by St. Thomas allowed them to pull even at 13-13.

However, The Mountaineers held their nerve and took the next two points to win 15-13.

Trevor McLaughlin was Mohawk's player of the match. He had 17 kills and 16 digs.

Mountaineers' head coach Matthew Schnarr felt experience was the key for his team. "We play five setters all season long in a wide open league (the OCAA)," said Schnarr. "The level of competition each night allowed us to be successful."

As for the next match, the coach said his team must refocus with what he called "goldfish memory." He said the team would have to forget about the first match, see who the next opponent will be, then "leave it on the floor."

For the complete competition schedule or information on the championship, visit www.ccaa.ca/national-championship-s15090.

Source: Mohawk College