LONDON, Ont. - On Saturday afternoon, the CCAA No. 7-ranked Fanshawe Falcons men's volleyball team (12-4) fell to the Mohawk Mountaineers (12-4) in the Falcons final league home game of the year. The loss drops the Falcons into a tie for third in the OCAA West Division standings.
Mohawk came out aggressive in the first set putting up a huge block at the net. The Mountaineers had an early 9-4 lead, forcing Fanshawe to use a timeout. The Falcons settled down and found a way to get the ball up the middle, eventually tying the game at 13. With the score tied at 23, Mohawk scored on an overpass and went on to win the set 25-23.
With the second set tied, Mohawk's Bryce Marcussen put up back-to-back blocks and took the 12-10 lead. The Mountaineers continued to put up a big block at the net and with the score 18-13, Fanshawe was forced to use their second timeout of the set. The Falcons made a run and were within two, 22-20, but Mohawk pulled away and took the second set 25-20.
Fanshawe was fired up to start the third set and after a huge rally, the Falcons took a 7-3 lead and the Mountaineers had to call a timeout. Fanshawe took control of the set and led by as many as 11 before Mohawk took their final timeout of the set. The Falcons put up five stuff blocks and dominated the set by a final score of 25-13.
No team led by more than two until Mohawk had three straight stuff blocks to take an 11-8 lead. Fanshawe pulled within one at 17-16 but the Mountaineers came right back with two straight and the Falcons had to use their second timeout of the set. Fanshawe battled back and a huge stuff block by Scott Brannigan tied the game at 23. Mohawk scored two in a row to and won the set 26-24.
The Falcons next play on the road Saturday, Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. against the Redeemer Royals (9-6).
Source: Fanshawe College
LONDON, Ont. - A volleyball twin bill in London, Ont., on Saturday ended in a split for Mohawk and Fanshawe.
The Mountaineer men won a four setter, 25-23, 25-20,13-25, 26-24, over the Falcons. Trevor McLaughlin had a strong match for the winners with 20 kills, two service aces and one stuff block. Bryce Marcussen had 14 kills, one ace and four blocks. Eric Danecke came up with 10 kills and two blocks and Bart Jedrzejewski had 14 digs.
With the victory, the Mountaineers won their seventh straight and their record improved to 12-4, the same as Fanshawe. The two teams are tied with Niagara, two points back of West Division-leading Humber. The Knights and Hawks each have a game in hand on the Mountaineers and Falcons. Niagara visits St. Clair and Humber goes to Conestoga Sunday.
The news out of London was not as good for the Mohawk women, who were swept by Fanshawe, 18-25, 19-25, 17-25. Kristin VanHartingsveldt led the Mountaineers with six kills, one block and five digs. Kaitlin Kelly paced the Falcons with 21 kills, one ace, one block and 15 digs.
After two straight defeats, Mohawk, now 7-9, need to earn two points against either Redeemer or Humber, to be assured of making it to post-season play.
Fanshawe upped its record to 14-2 and trail first-place Humber by two points in the West Division.
Source: Mohawk College