NORTH BAY, Ont. - The Canadore Panthers women's varsity volleyball team came back from a two-set deficit to defeat a very strong Georgian Grizzlies team today in their final regular season game at the Education Centre Gymnasium.
Set scores were 20-25, 22-25, 25-18, 25-17, 15-6 in favour of the Panthers. Canadore's top scorer was Liza Grennon with 22 points.
Knowing that they had already made the playoffs, the Panthers still came out today looking to end the regular season on a high note, which they achieved by winning two sets in a row after falling in the first two sets to the Grizzlies, forcing a fifth set. Today's game was strongly influenced by service errors, on both sides, as well as service aces. Between the two teams, there were 21 aces during play.
The intensity in the gymnasium grew as the fifth set went on, as the fans cheered on the Panthers when they were the first to eight points, and this lead was never lost, as they took a win over the Grizzles. Although this win doesn't affect their standings going into playoffs, it does prevent Georgian from moving up into second place in the East Division.
Canadore head coach Stefanie Hancock commented, "Yesterday I said I was hoping for bigger moments today, and the girls delivered. We struggled to win in five all season, but today the girls played like they wanted to win instead of playing afraid to lose. I'm very proud of my team this season and I'm really excited for the playoffs to begin."
Before today's game started, Panthers Athletics honoured their two graduating players with a memorabilia frame of their time at Canadore. One of these players was OCAA veteran Grennon, who was also one of four Panthers players to serve at least three aces, alongside Mackenzie Mills, Liarra Marchand and Lauren Kuehni. The final set of the game, Grennon served the final few points, to end her career on a high note. Grennon's dedication to the game helped Canadore earn their first playoff berth in over 10 years.
Grennon commented on her experience this season, "It's the best scenario that I could hope for as a graduating player and I can't thank the rookies enough for everything that they've given both the team and myself. There really is no better way to finish off a regular season than with a win, especially against such a strong team."
Source: Canadore College
NORTH BAY, Ont. - For the Georgian Grizzlies men's and women's volleyball teams it was a busy end to the regular season, first beginning with a trip to Oshawa, Ont., to face the Durham Lords in games originally scheduled the week prior followed by a trip to North Bay, Ont., to face the Canadore Panthers in their regular season finale on Sunday.
The women's team had a strong performance on Thursday against the always difficult Durham Lords. In a very tight game both teams battled back and forth in a match that went the five set distance. Georgian were able to rally back to take the final two sets in a 3-2 victory (26-28, 25-23, 12-25, 25-21, 18-16). Natalie Buck (Keswick, Ont.) had a season-high 21 points in the marathon match for the Grizzlies.
Playing their third match in five nights, the Grizzlies faced the Canadore Panthers in the regular season finale. After getting up two sets to none, Georgian simply ran out of gas as Candore rebounded for a 3-2 victory (21-25, 22-25, 25-18, 25-17, 15-6). Buck again led the Grizzlies in scoring with 13 points while teammate Allison Marshall (Orillia, Ont.) had 12 points in the loss.
The final split guarantees the Grizzlies will finish third in the OCAA East Division standings and will play host to a crossover playoff game against the St. Clair Saints on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. at the Georgian Athletic Centre. Fans are encouraged to come cheer on the Grizzlies in the big match-up with the winner qualifying for the OCAA Women's Volleyball Championship held at Durham College.
On the men's side, the Grizzlies put up a great battle against the second place team in the East Division in the Durham Lords. Georgian twice had the lead slip away as Durham battled back winning the final two sets to win the match 3-2 (20-25, 25-21, 25-27, 25-15, 15-13). Jason Grimm (Orangeville, Ont.) led all players with 18 points in the contest.
In their match against Canadore the Grizzlies again were in tight in the first two sets but ultimately dropped them 27-25 and 25-23 which could have went either way. From there Georgian couldn't come up with a comeback in the third set dropping it 25-16 to lose 3-0 in a game that was much closer than it appeared.
The men's team will now prepare for the OCAA Men's Volleyball Championship of which the Grizzlies will play as the host team with the tournament scheduled from Feb. 20-22 at Georgian College in Barrie, Ont.
Source: Georgian College