By: Zach Worden
Scarborough — Sophia Clement had two kills, 19 assists, 18 digs, and two aces as the Centennial Colts fell 3-1 against the Canadore Panthers in women’s OCAA volleyball action Sunday afternoon.
Helping out the Colts’ (2-5) efforts in the match was Fatemeh Rouhi, who had six kills and nine digs and Alia Ricciardelli, who finished with five kills, 10 digs, and two aces.
Centennial also held its senior night on Sunday, honouring Symphony Kwong, who is graduating from the Food Science Technology program. Kwong has been a member of the Colts since the 2019-20 season and has been a great ambassador for the women’s volleyball team during her time at Centennial.
Kwong had five kills, one assist, six digs, and one block in her final match at home.
The Panthers (6-2) were led by Carlie Pappano and Samuelle Ranger, who both had double-digit kills, and Logan Thompson, who finished with 30 assists.
Canadore came into Sunday’s match looking to bounce back from a 3-2 loss the night before against George Brown and took the momentum early. They broke out to a 5-1 lead in the opening set, forcing an early Colts timeout.
The timeout proved successful for Centennial, as the Colts cut their deficit down to one of the points following the break.
However, the Panthers wouldn’t relinquish the lead as the two teams went back and forth.
Despite forcing a Canadore timeout with the score at 16-13, Centennial could not overcome the Panthers’ early lead, dropping the first set 25-18.
Clement led the Colts throughout their opening comeback effort. She finished with two kills, four assists, and two digs in the set.
The visiting side broke out to another lead to start the second set. The Panthers forced another Centennial timeout after going up 11-4.
The second-set timeout didn’t help flip momentum as it did in the opening frame as Canadore kept control in the match, going up 2-0 behind a 25-11 set win.
The Colts emerged as the aggressors in the third set — as they tried to extend the match. They took a 4-1 lead through the first five points of the set.
The Panthers would respond and cut into their deficit — even tying the set — but couldn’t overtake the lead as Centennial held off their early comeback attempt.
Neither side was able to take control of the set once it was tied at 13, with the score fluctuating between a Colts one or two-point lead. Canadore, however, kept their attack coming and finally broke through, going up 18-17.
Centennial would call a timeout after falling behind 21-17 and immediately responded with a 5-1 run to even the score, forcing a timeout on the other side.
The Colts would hold onto the momentum, not allowing another point, forcing a fourth set with a 25-22 set win.
Frances Joy Carrabbcan and Kwong both had multiple kills in the set victory, while Clement and Ricciardelli combined for 10 digs on the defensive side for Centennial.
The fourth set started out differently than the first three, as neither side could grow much of a lead early on.
It was the Panthers who would emerge with the most substantial lead, going up 12-8, forcing a Centennial timeout with a 4-0 run.
Despite a strong response out of the timeout, Canadore held on throughout the rest of the set to win 25-16.