Molson Weekend Summary Jan. 17 2010

The women's basketball team was the only Sea~Hawks team to find success in a difficult weekend road trip. The women's basketball team swept UPEI while neither the volleyball teams nor the men's basketball team were able to earn a win. The women's basketball team improves to 8-2 on the season with the sweep.

Women's Volleyball

Friday Tigers 3 Sea~Hawks 1 (boxscore)

On Friday night at the Dalplex Dalhousie overcame a first set loss to defeat the Sea~Hawks 3-1.

The first set was all Sea~Hawks with Erin Bursey and Sasha Wilkins leading the charge. Final score 25-13. In the second set the home side would settle down and execute their game plan. The ‘Hawks would also continue to play well but ultimately it would be the Tigers taking the set 25-22.

The close play continued through the third set, going to extra points, with the Tigers taking it 27-25.

The third set proved to swing the momentum to the home team, with the Tigers taking the fourth set 25-12 and the match 3-1.

The Tigers were led by player of the game Louise Facca who had a team-high 14 kills.

Wilkins was player of the game for the Sea~Hawks with 14 kills and 14 digs. Beth Forsey had a match-high 36 assists. Bursey played well for the ‘Hawks with 11 kills and 13 digs. Nicole Jolliffe also contributed a match-high 25 digs.

Saturday Tigers 3 Sea~Hawks 0 (boxscore)

On Saturday Dalhousie took an early advantage and cruised to a 3-0 victory. Facca once again led the way for the Tigers with 11 kills while Lauren Smith had 19 digs.

The Sea~Hawks offence struggled in the match with Sarah Strickland and Jessica Crocker leading the way with five kills each. Angela Peddle played big at the net with a team-high five blocks.

The Sea~Hawks will be back in Halifax next weekend for a series against the Saint Mary's Huskies.

Men's Volleyball

Friday Tigers 3 Sea~Hawks 0 (boxscore)

It is always tough to travel to Dalhousie in men’s volleyball action and this weekend was no different for the Sea~Hawks.

On Friday night Dan Ota’s team was led by AUS MVP Sander Ratsep in a straight set victory. Set scores were 25-18, 25-13, 25-13.

Ratsep had 16 kills, earning player of the game honours.

Drew Stephens led the ‘Hawks, earning player of the game for the visitors with 8 kills while Brad Jolliffe had 9 digs.

Saturday Tigers 3 Sea~Hawks 0 (boxscore)

On Saturday it was Gander native Max Burt that would do the most damage against the Sea~Hawks as the Tigers once again took the match in straight sets, 25-14, 25-16, 26-17.

Burt had 17 kills in the win. Statistical leaders for Memorial were Alex Barrett with 8 kills, Brad Pitcher with 17 assists, and Brad Jolliffe with 8 digs.

The ‘Hawks will be off to take part in the second Interlock tournament against the teams of the Quebec conference next weekend in Montreal.

Women's Basketball

Saturday Sea~Hawks 79 Panther 51 (boxscore)

The Sea~Hawks were heavy favorites heading into the weekend against the winless Panthers. There no big surprises as the ‘Hawks won both games in convincing fashion.

On Saturday night gained early separation, allowing Coach Partridge to give his bench good minutes, that could prove to be helpful heading down the stretch in AUS play.

The ‘Hawks were hot offensively, taking a 42-23 lead into the half. They did not look back, with the final score being 79-51. Eleven players scored for Memorial, with Robyn O’Reilly continuing her effective shooting to lead the balanced attack. O’Reilly had 13 points in 16 minutes of play, including three three-pointers.

Grace Fishbein and Vicki Thistle both were in double figures with 12 points apiece. Memorial shot very well, with 52.7% from the field, 54.5% from three point land, and 83.3% from the charity stripe.

Carly Lafave led UPEI with 13 points. As a team the Panthers shot only 30% for the field.

Sunday Sea~Hawks 81 Panthers 53 (boxscore)

On Sunday morning the game played out similarly to Saturday night but with the Sea~Hawks using their defense to build a twenty point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Sophomore Ally Forsey was unstoppable for the ‘Hawks with 22 points and 9 rebounds in only 18 minutes. She was named player of the game in the win. All twelve Sea~Hawks who dressed scored on Sunday.

The Sea~Hawks are now 8-2 on the season, earning a big eight points in the AUS standings to put them firmly in second place behind undefeated Cape Breton.

The Sea~Hawks host a struggling Dalhousie team next weekend at the Field House in an important series.


The team will face Dalhousie at the Field House next weekend. Dalhousie have struggled this season but did split their home series in November against Memorial.

Men's Basketball

Saturday Panthers 91 Sea~Hawks 70 (boxscore)

The men’s basketball team headed into the weekend hoping that they could get a win in Charlottetown.

On Saturday night the ‘Hawks came out in fine form, taking a 25-15 first quarter advantage. The quick start is becoming a hallmark for Peter Benoite’s team this season. Jason Shepherd, returning from a minor injury, played very effectively for Memorial. Steve Earles also continued his big play in the post, finding his way to the foul line several times.

The Panthers clawed back in the second quarter, but the Sea~Hawks maintained the a six point advantage heading into the break.

In the second half it was all Panthers as Memorial had no answer for the top three players on UPEI, Nick Toews, Matt Fennell, and Manock Lual.
The three players combined for 68 points, which was nearly 75% of the team’s offence. Lual had a game-high 26 points while Fennell broke Memorial’s back with 5 three-pointers.

The Panthers used a big third quarter run to take a ten point advantage into the break. In the fourth the Panthers would continue to roll with the final score 91-70 for the home side.

The Sea~Hawks second half struggles continued with the third quarter proving to be an Achille’s Heel for the team. Shepherd was a bright spot with 22 points and 7 rebounds. Earles added 15 points, including 9 from the free throw line, and 6 rebounds. As a team, Memorial shot reasonably well from the field at 45.3% but their outside shooters struggled, converting only three of 17 three-pointers.

Sunday Panthers 104 Sea~Hawks 61 (boxscore)

On Sunday the Sea~Hawks battled through the first quarter with Earles playing well again, to take a 17-15 lead after one quarter of play.

In the second quarter Memorial could not find an answer for the Panthers as the home team shot their way to a 57-35 lead at the half.

In the second half the Panthers continued to build the lead with very effective three-point shooting, pulling away to win 104-61.

The Panthers hit 14 threes in the game with Tim Butler coming off the bench to hit six. Fennell led the way with 21 points in the win.

Earles finished with 17 points for Memorial. The ‘Hawks shot only 37% in the game.

The game was definitely a forgettable one for Memorial. They will look to regroup this week as they host Dalhousie at the Field House next weekend.