--- Madeline Harquail, STU BA '22 ---
Visiting team Holland College Hurricanes went home with more than expected from the Tommies on Feb.9th at the Lady Beaverbrook Gym, defeating the first place Tommies 3-1.
Dallas Melnick led the Tommies in the first set with a major block on the right side, then a major spike return from Melnick. Yet this left the Hurricane's anything but unsteady, as Riley O'Keefe would come back with a service ace as the Hurricanes would take the first set 25-23.
The Tommies started out strong in the second set with Christian Christie giving a major kill to the Hurricanes. Again, the Hurricanes were nothing but prepared with Cole Mackey serving an ace on the Tommies right off the bat, followed by major kills from both Gordon Veitch and Brandon Hastings. Tommies' Christie and Melnick were able to recover the score in this set with major blocks on the sides, along with the Hurricanes' failed attempt of returning Tommies Adam MacDougall's clean serves. Tommies took the second set 25-21 leaving 2 sets to go.
Tommie's Christie again started the third set strong with a major spike to the Hurricanes. Yet the Hurricanes were unstirred as they took this set home with a score of 25-18.
The Tommies lost their roar in the fourth and final set, leaving the Hurricanes with a win in their grasp. They would take the set 25-17 and the match 3-1.
Tommies' head Coach Henri Mallet felt unsettled with the result of today's match and hoped for only better.
"I thought we played worse than yesterday, today both teams' energy levels were down. We had too many unforced errors, too many plays that we didn't make when we needed to and the Hurricanes definitely made plays at key moments that gave them the advantage".
Mallet was then asked if there were any strategies that he had in mind to tackle these issues prior to their next match against UNBSJ on Feb.15th.
"We know we can play better, we have the skills it was just a down game. We will have a good practice this week and focus on Saint John next weekend."