By: Steven Chmielash & Patrick L. Smith
Both of Algonquin’s volleyball teams had successful weekends at home when they hosted Fleming College.
Back on Nov. 2, 2012, Fleming and Algonquin’s men’s volleyball teams duked it out on Fleming’s home court, and the Knights came out with a 3-2 win.
On Jan. 26, it was the Thunder’s turn to host the Knights, and they vowed not to let history repeat itself.
According to left side Philippe Yeldon, today’s game was just “another revenge game.”
Yeldon was named player of the game, as a result of his 29 points and three stuff blocks.
“He set the tone for the game,” said assistant coach Kelan Stone.
The first set of the game saw the Thunder and the Knights matching each other point for point. However, Algonquin held on to win the set 25-23.
The Thunder were able to shake off the close victory and regroup in the second and third sets, winning 25-16 and 25-12.
“First set we struggled in a bunch of different areas,” said head coach Jeff Mooney. “Second and third set was more of what we should be doing.”
The women’s volleyball team, meanwhile, also won their match convincingly. They crushed the Knights in straight sets by scores of 25-16, 25-9, and 25-16.
The win marked the Thunder’s seventh in eight games and, more importantly, marked the return of Algonquin’s team game.
“We played really well together as a team,” said left side Jori Armishaw, “which we had been struggling with recently.”
Middle Breann Wheeler led the formidable Algonquin offence with 13 kills, while right and left side Tess Peterson contributed seven serving aces in the win.
According to Armishaw, the team’s consistency played a huge role in the win.
“Normally, we’ll struggle when playing a lower-level team and fall down to their level,” she said, “and it won’t be a very good game. I think today, we really played at our level and stayed above them in a sense.”
Fleming got three kills each from left sides Taylor Lyford and Claire Ball in the losing effort.
Both Thunder teams will play Durham and Loyalist College next weekend. The men’s team will be keeping an eye on the future, as a victory could go a long way.
“Next week will determine whether or not we have to play a playoff game or if we have a chance to go into provincials without a playoff game,” Mooney said.