In the opening match of the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball quarterfinals your St. Thomas University Tommies host the Dalhousie Agricultural College Rams in a one game, win or go home scenario.

The Tommies finished the ACAA regular season 9-5, and the Rams right behind them at 7-7, and their lone matchup came last Friday in Truro, NS. The Tommies fell 3-0 with a depleted lineup, but Tommies’ head coach, Don McKay, is looking forward to the rematch. “It is nice that we played them recently, but we were missing four key players. They played well so we will need to bring our A game. I am glad we aren’t the team travelling.”

The Tommies have a fairly young team this year, in terms of ACAA experience, with 10 players having never been in an ACAA playoff match, but McKay isn’t deterred by the thought of that heading into this matchup.

“While it is true, we have a lot of players who haven’t played in ACAA playoffs before, many have played in important games and situations prior to arriving at STU. Based on the way the rookies have played all year, I fully expect them to embrace the moment and play well.”

McKay describes the areas his team needs to play well to achieve success as “we need to serve well, strong and in gaps; serve receive well and get some stops at the net. We have plenty of offence if we can stay in system.”

When asked if his team was looking forward to the rematch with the Rams, he was quick to answer.

“It really wouldn’t matter who we play Tuesday.”