(London, Ontario) – The No. 13 Nationally ranked Falcons (15-5, 2nd West) took care of business against the Algonquin Wolves (15-5, 3rd East) in three straight sets on Saturday afternoon in the Nest.
OCAA second-team all-star, Tanner Paterson (Baden, ON) gave Fanshawe their first points of the match with a sweet cross-court kill. To put the Birds up 6-4 over the visitors, setter Matt Stechnicki (Guelph, ON) found Jayden Crowther (London, ON) who converted on a crushing spike. Extending Fanshawe's lead, Crowther recorded back-to-back aces. A dominant block by Zack Admans (St. Thomas, ON) pushed Fanshawe's score to 23 over Algonquin's 16. The Falcons held on to their lead and took set one 25-17.
The Wolves had a strong start in the second set. Paterson tied the set at sixes with a striking kill. The two teams traded points for a majority of the second. Alain Pineault (Windsor, ON) was on fire, recording a kill and block contributing to Fanshawe's 19-15 advantage. Fanshawe's late 8-4 run secured their set two victory by a score of 25-17.
The Birds began with an early 4-1 advantage over Algonquin. Jack Voght (Ottawa, ON) got on the board with a beautiful block and Paterson connected on a superb right-side attack. Unfortunately, the Wolves battled back and took a late 5-point lead. Tom Cullingworth (Ottawa, ON) recorded a clutch kill to close in on the visitor's lead. The Birds fought and tied things at 23 apiece. Ultimately, the Falcons swept the Wolves and took set three 25-23.
The Falcons will advance to the OCAA Championship which will be held from February 23-25. The OCAA Championship host will be determined Sunday evening after the remaining quarterfinal matches conclude. The highest seed remaining will host.
