Women's Teams in the Thick of Playoff Races.

It is the time of year where the Sea~Hawks athletes go into gut check mode or are playing for personal and team pride. For the Men's and Women's volleyball teams both were on display this weekend at the Nest as both teams stepped up and put on a show for their fans. For the women it was about positioning toward the playoffs while the Men displayed for their fans that their heart is dedicated to finishing this season with pride and determination. The Sea~Hawks Basketball teams were also in action tipping off a weekend double header in the not so friendly confines of Cape Breton University where the Capers and their outstanding fans were waiting for a the travel weary Sea~Hawks.

     

Women's Volleyball

   

The Sea~Hawks took full advantage of a visiting young UNB Varsity Reds team this weekend sweeping them back to Fredericton. The games were a must win for the team if they wanted to even think about the possibility of playing in the post season and prior to the match the Sea~Hawks got some good news as both Acadia and STFX who were ahead of them and holding a playoff spot had lost.

     

In Saturday's tilt the Varsity Reds caught the Sea~Hawks in the midst of a sluggish start for as the home team was down 4-1 early on. The Sluggish start did not last too as the Sea~Hawks frontline duo of Chantel Jones and Angela Peddle who hit well above 60% for the match stepped up and overmatched the size of the UNB with a potent combination of skill and power to set the tone for the team and the fans. The Hawks stormed back to take the first set 25-15 that featured a score that surprised Coach Bill Thistle as he felt the Varsity Reds played a much tighter match then the score indicated. During the second set the Varsity Reds came storming back to create an exciting finish as they were down by just one on set point when the Sea~Hawks seized the momentum of the match by winning 25-23. In the third and final set the young Reds were overmatched by the skill and momentum that the Sea~Hawks had as the attack of Beth Forsey's 39 set assists and Samantha March's 14 kills and 1 block helped push the Sea~Hawks higher in the straight sets win.

     

Memorial 3 UNB 0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-15)

 

Angela Peddle Player of the Game

     

In Sunday's action the Sea~Hawks were flying high again as Angela Peddle continued to attack with an over a 60% efficiency. Jill Lynch was able to bounce back from an off night as she stepped up with some momentum building kills that sent the nest rocking as the Hawks gave the loudest Volleyball fans in the AUS something to cheer about on their way to a straight set match victory25-18, 25-20, 25-19. Sunday's match gave the home fans a glimpse of the team effort the Sea~Hawks are capable of when healthy. Anchored up front with Angela Peddle and Chantel Jones is providing the rest of the team an opportunity to develop consistency while Erin Bursey and Sam March continue to exhibit a killer instinct that opponents cannot defend.

     

Memorial 3 UNB 0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-19)

 

Jill Lynch Player of the Game

     

Following the weekends action the Sea~Hawks are now sole owners of fifth place and a playoff berth heading into the bye week. The ladies will resume play with a trip to Acadia in two weeks time. Depending on what transpires over the next week with Acadia and STFX, the ladies could find themselves in a position to eliminate Acadia who just three seasons ago bumped the Sea~Hawks out of the playoffs as they earned the host berth over Memorial.

   

Men's Volleyball

     

Heading into this weekend's matches against the defending AUS champion Varsity Reds the Sea~Hawks still had a slight chance of hosting playoff match. Those chances were awfully slim but for fans of this team that is all they needed to show their support. UNB came into the nest featuring a big and athletic attack to take on the developing Sea~Hawks who put up quite a fight despite being undermanned and undersized. Throughout the three set sweep by the Reds the MUN team showed glimpses of the skill it takes to compete at the top of the AUS. In spite of losing all three sets 25-18, 25-21, 25-21 Sea~Hawks fan witnessed that the margin for error in the Men's division is minimal. The men put up a valiant effort but struggled to take advantage of UNB errors.

   

UNB 3 Memorial 0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-21)

 

Alex Barrett Player of the Game

     

On Sunday the MUN men came out inspired and forced the Reds to four closely contested sets. For the close to 400 fans in attendance they got to see the level of heart in the Men's team who in the end did fall to a team that has more depth, experience and skill then the Sea~Hawks. The Men lost 25-18, 22-25, 25-21, 25-19 but were able to show that they are heading in the right direction and that the development into a perennial playoff contender is still at least season away. In the short term the Men have the opportunity to build upon the modest amount of success they have ad during the last two months as they head to Fredericton for the third and final interlock nest weekend in which Coach Luke Harris will look to steal two wins from their RSEQ counterparts. The Men play the nest two weekends in Fredericton before ending their season versus the Dalhousie Tigers at the Nest February 4th and 5th. Coincidentally the final home games will be the fans last chance to cheer on Fifth Year Alex Barrett who has given Memorial a respectable and honourable five years as a student athlete, teammate, and champion in the community.

 

UNB 3 Memorial 1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-21, 25-19)

 

Brad Pitcher Player of the Game.

 

Women's Basketball

     

The Sea-Hawks travelled to Cape Breton to face the Capers in a two series match-up. A last minute flight schedule change and mechanical delays challenged the team's arrival plans and they arrived in Sydney late afternoon, so tip off times were moved an hour later. The long travel day didn't seem to impact the women's game from the start as the Sea-Hawks got out to an early 1st quarter 14-6 lead. The Sea-Hawks continued to dominate offensively in the 2nd quarter and had a comfortable 17 point lead at half-time.

     

While the Capers struggled offensively in the first half, scoring just 17 points, they came out on fire in the 3rd and scored 26 points to come within 9 points heading into the final period. Ally Forsey was limited in playing time with foul trouble and fouled out of the game in just 16 minutes of playing time. In the final period, the Sea-Hawks scored just 8 points and the Capers took the lead with 6 minutes to go and was able to finish the comeback with a 66-60 win when the final buzzer sounded. Cassie Cooke was the spark for the Capers with 29 points and 5 rebounds. The story of the game was likely the foul line as the Capers made good on 20 of 25 attempts, while the Sea-Hawks were 3-6 for the game.

     

On Sunday, the Sea-Hawks would seek to get the win that slipped away on Saturday night, however a slow start, gave the Capers a 13-8 lead at the end of the 1st quarter. The Sea-Hawks didn't score until about 3 minutes into the second quarter and the Capers Stephanie Toxopeus scored some timely points in the paint and controlled the rebounds on the defensive end. At the end of the 1st half, the Capers held a 10 point lead. The Sea-Hawks needed to make a run in the 3rd quarter, but it was all Capers. Toxopeus and Cassie Cooke led the Capers offensively in the 3rd, while the Sea-Hawks struggled offensively to make shots and by the end of the 3rd quarter, the Capers held a 23 point lead.

     

The game ended with a Capers 79-53 win over the Sea-Hawks and the Capers taking the series 2-0. A bright spot for the Sea-Hawks in Sunday's game was a strong offensive contribution from 2nd year Kelia Pond, who had 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in just 27 minutes of playing time. Ally Forsey also scored 17 points in a losing cause. The Sea-Hawks remain 3rd in AUS standings and will look to rebound and return to the comfort of home to face a tough Acadia squad, who current sits in 2nd place with a 7-1 record.

   

Men's Basketball

     

The long travel day appeared to really impact the men's team as they finally tipped off at 9:30pm NL time on what was likely a 4am same day rise for the players en route to Sydney. The first quarter was a tightly matched affair, with the Capers gaining the edge 25-21 after the first period. During the 2nd quarter, the Sea-Hawks went cold, scoring just 7 points, giving the Capers a 43-28 half-time lead. During the 2nd quarter, the Sea-Hawks were haunted by missed shots and turnovers and the team had two 3 minute stretches that they were unable to score. The Sea-Hawks never found their rhythm offensively struggling with shooting percentages, going 30% from the floor in the 1st half and 25% from the floor in the second half. The game ended 94-61 for the Capers. Jason Shepherd led the team with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, while James Dorsey, one of the best guard in the conference had 23 points, 7 assists, 4 reb and 4 steals.

     

On Sunday, the Sea-Hawks again got off to a slow start and the Capers came out strong offensively. At the end of the 1st quarter, the Sea-Hawks trailed 23-10. Eager to prove they could compete with the Capers, the Sea-Hawks dominated the 2nd quarter outscoring the Capers 29-23 cutting the lead at half-time to 7 (46-39). Jason Shepherd led the way offensively and had the hot hand for the Sea-Hawks in a solid 3rd quarter which saw the Capers outscore the Sea-Hawks by 3. Down 10 heading into the 4th, the Sea-Hawks made a run at the Capers and cut the lead to 2 with under a minute to play. Needing to stop the clock, the Sea-Hawks had to foul, putting Julian Smith on the line, who made good on two free throws to give the Capers a 4 point lead. A late 3 point attempt by the Sea-Hawks didn't go and gave the Capers an 88-84 win. Jason Shepherd led the team with 34 points, going 7-11 from 3pt territory. Shepherd also had 8 rebounds and 2 assists and was named player of the game for the Sea-Hawks. Mike Helsby also chipped in with 20 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

   

The teams return home to take on Acadia this weekend. The Sea-Hawks will look to the hometown crowd to give them the edge over the Axewomen and Axemen.