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McIlroy and Fewer head to CIS Championships, Women's Volleyball ready for home Opener
The Sea~Hawks will be sending Atlantic University cross Country All Stars, Caroline McIlroy and Jordan Fewer to the CIS Cross Country Championships at Laval University in Quebec City this weekend. Meanwhile at the Field House the road warrior women's volleyball team look to get their season back on track with a two game set versus the second place Cape Breton University Capers. The Men's and Women's basketball teams look to build upon their season opening split as they travel to Fredericton to battle the UNB Varsity Reds as the Sea~Hawks teams will test their mettle against teams that finished ahead of them in 2010-11.
CIS Cross Country Championships
Colin Fewer is filing in for head coach Art Meaney this weekend as the Sea~Hawks send two AUS all-stars to Quebec City for the CIS Championships. Rookie sensation Jordan Fewer is expected to run in the top 35 of the typically deep and talented men's race. However, in his quest to make a name for himself the commonly polite and realistic Jordan is ready to exceed his own expectations. Jordan was a top 10 finisher in all three AUS races this season and is poised to peak at his first National calibre event as he hopes to set the tone for his teammates back home as they prepare for an offseason training program that will include more of the men's team at the CIS event in 2012.
In the women's race AUS All-star and Silver medal winner Caroline McIlroy continues her first season running Cross Country with an opportunity for a top 20 finish in the women's 5km event. McIlroy who returned to school this fall has had her fair share of local success and has been a phenomenal leader for her younger teammates. However, this race she will be challenged by the very deep field which features a University of Guelph Gryphons team pacing for their seventh straight CIS team title as well as the Dalhousie runner Holly Van Gestel who edged her for the Gold in the AUS.
Full race results will be posted at www.goseahawks.ca
Good Luck Caroline and Jordan.
Women's Volleyball
After over a month of road games the Sea~Hawks (1-4) are in dire need of some home cooking before they head back on the road for their final fall games next weekend. Storming into the field house will be the CBU Capers who sit at 3-1 on the season and have already beaten the Sea~Hawks at the season opening tournament at Dalhousie. At that time it was the third match in two days without team captain Erin Bursey who suffered an ankle injury just prior to departing.
The 1-4 start has been a tough pill for the team to swallow. However if you dig a little deeper the young team has had to endure some inconsistent passing. This has stymied the big hitters and stunted the team's offence during key moments in the early season. Angela Peddle and Chantel Jones have been hitting fairly well but the opportunities have been too far and few and has led to too many lost points. Coach Bill Thistle has been caught in a catch 22 situation, due to the Bursey ankle injury he has been forced to play his rookies in situations that they typically would not be in until later in the season. The good news is this young squad is able to develop situational skills and gain both experience and confidence as they progress through the season. The Sea~Hawks opposition the Capers feature 2010-11 AUS All-star Middle Vanessa Georges who is coming off a weekend individual performance that was absolutely dominating. Her stat line featured 15 kills, five blocks, two digs and an ace as the Capers pushed their record to 3-1 with a five-set road victory. She currently sits 2nd in the AUS with 3.44 kills per game.
The girls are beginning to progress through their system and fans should be ready for what should be an exciting home opener on Saturday night. The Sea~Hawks will serve it up at 7pm and there are some tickets still available. For the Home Opener, fans are encouraged to support the Sea~Hawks Go Pink Series by dressing in pink and can purchase the new 2011-2012 Go Pink Series shirt at the Sea~Hawks Shop for $25. Proceeds will go to the Newfoundland and Labrador chapter of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The Sunday half of the double dip will start at 11am and the matches will be available on webcast.
WEBCAST: http://player.streamit.ca/Player.aspx?eventid=24
Women's Basketball
The days of playing in the old UNB pit are over as the Sea~Hawks will set flight to New Brunswick this weekend to tangle with the Varsity Red's, playing in the new Richard Currie Center for the first time. After splitting the weekend matchup with the Saint Mary's Huskies at the Field House, the Sea~Hawks will battle a rebuilding Varsity Red's squad that made it to the AUS finals last season.
The Varsity Red's will be without last season's AUS most valuable player Amanda Sharpe, and three-point specialist Leah Corby who have graduated. Laura Fowler, another integral piece to the UNB offence is expected to sit out the season due to a nagging knee injury. Despite a seemingly depleted Varsity Red's roster, they still have some fire power and the Sea~Hawks cannot take them lightly. Returning this year as the floor general for UNB is the speedy Megan Corby. AUS 2010-11 rookie of the year Claire Colborne will be suiting up for her second season with the Varsity Reds as well.
During last weekend's home opener for the Sea~Hawks, it was fourth year wing Robyn O'Rielly who led the charge for the red and white. In the home opener, O'Rielly had 13 points and dished out 6 assists in the win. First year guard, Megan Robinson had a solid start to her varsity career, posting 11 points on 4-8 shooting, while distributing 5 assists. Ally Forsey made her presence felt down low during the first two games of the season posting 8 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks in the home opener, followed by a double-double, 14 point 10 rebound performance in the Sunday rematch.
Game times are slated for 6pm on November 12 in Fredericton, followed by the second game of the series taking place Sunday at 1pm at the beautiful Richard Currie Center.
WEBCAST: http://playerv2.streamit.ca/PlayerV2.aspx?eventid=67
Men's Basketball
After a big win over the Saint Mary's Huskies last weekend, the Sea~Hawks hope to carry the momentum into New Brunswick as they square off against the Varsity Reds. The matchup will be the home opener for the Varsity Reds, and the first time both teams play on the new floor.
Like the women's team, the Varsity Reds are in a rebuilding mode this season. Their roster is populated by seven new bodies, but still a solid nucleus is intact. Three-point specialist Colin Swift returns for his final year of eligibility, along with forward Alex DesRoches to provide a scoring threat for the Varsity Red's. A key piece missing from the line-up this season for the Varsity Red's is 2010-2011 AUS Rookie of the Year William McFee, who will be residing in his native home of Australia until January.
Heading into the weekend, the Sea~Hawks will rely on their veteran core for some leadership and added scoring touch. Fifth years Jason Shepherd and Mark Woodland were instrumental in the team's first victory of the season. Woodland came off the bench and was efficient, playing 27 minutes and scoring 22 points on 8-13 shooting, and 2-3 from downtown. Shepherd started off his final season with the red and white in fine shooting form, scoring 25 points on 7-11 shooting, while shooting a perfect 8-8 from the line. He also distributed the ball well, dishing out 9 helpers in the win.
UNB will have Newfoundland product, and Pasadena native Aaron O'Brien on their roster this season. The 6'8 post will look to find minutes in his first season with the Varsity Reds, as his hard work and defensive presence should not go unnoticed.
Tip off gets underway at 8pm on Saturday in the Richard Currie Center, followed by the second game of the series taking place Sunday at 3pm.
WEBCAST: http://playerv2.streamit.ca/PlayerV2.aspx?eventid=67