Women's Volleyball Team Set to Dig In for Playoff Run

It has been a long time since a Memorial team Volleyball team has made the playoffs. However, with an unusually light schedule for Athletics the Women's Volleyball team will take centre stage as they take flight for a weekend set against the CIS 3rd ranked Saint Mary's Huskies. The Sea~Hawks could earn a playoff berth with just one win this weekend over a Huskies team looking to get past their first loss of the season. The loss resulted in a drop in the National rankings from second to third. The Sea~Hawks will be looking to build upon their first road win. Meanwhile, at home the Men's volleyball team will honour fifth year player Alex Barrett as the program plays out their final two matches against the Dalhousie Tigers. The Basketball teams have a much needed weekend of rest, while Sea~Hawks Wrestlers and Swimmers respectively will be making final preparations for the CIS qualifying meet and AUS championships that take place next weekend.

Home Games

Men's Volleyball vs. Dalhousie Tigers ~ Memorial University Field House, St. John's, NL
Saturday February 4, 8:00pm
Sunday February 5, 1:00pm

Webcast: http://player.streamit.ca/Player.aspx?eventid=24

Away Games

Women's Volleyball @ Saint Mary's Huskies ~ The Tower, Halifax, NS
Saturday February 4, 7:00pm
Sunday February 5, 2:00pm

Women's Volleyball

The Lady Hawks currently sit tied for fourth in league standing and remain in the playoff hunt as they dig in for a two match series against the CIS third ranked Saint Mary's Huskies. The Huskies are coming off a four set loss to the Dalhousie Tigers and pose a serious threat to the playoff hopes of Memorial. The teams split their series last year at the Field House.

Angela Peddle and Chantel Jones will be in tough upfront as the athletic Huskies feature four big hitters who rank in the conference top ten in hitting percentage while SMU's Kerri Smit leads the conference in kills. The Sea~Hawks offensive attack will counter with a steady balanced attack with Peddle, Jones with the agile Sam March and Erin Bursey creating matchup problems for opponents. March currently ranks third in kills 2.94/game in the AUS. For the Sea~Hawks to be successful their passing game will need to be at its best this weekend if they look to continue their march to the playoffs.

The fate of the Sea~Hawks playoff position lies in their own hands and barring a complete collapse in the their remaining four games Memorial's Women's Volleyball team should continue their road to relevance in the AUS Playoff picture. A little help from STFX sweeping Acadia should secure a showdown between the Sea~Hawks and X-Women in Moncton.

The Sea~Hawks meet the Huskies on the court at 7:30pm Saturday and 2:30pm Sunday.

Men's Volleyball

Following consecutive weekends in Fredericton the Sea~Hawks return to the nest to take on second place Dalhousie Tigers. This will be the last game for fifth year Alex Barrett. Although he may not have made it to playoffs this year, Alex has continued to be a leader for the team as they to develop towards a program that can compete consistently in the AUS, RSEQ divisions.

The Sea~Hawks last met the Tigers in November where they managed to win a set on the road. The Sea~Hawks will be need to adjust to the style of play and height advantage the Tigers have over them. Hopefully the Sea~Hawks will muster up the energy to end the season on a high note and send Alex Barrett into retirement with win over the perennial champion Tigers.

The games are scheduled for Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 1pm at home in the field house. Be sure to come and join us for a tribute to Alex Barrett on Sunday. Both games will be webcast click on the webcast logo at www.goseahawks.ca