The Algonquin Thunder men’s volleyball team is done for the season.
The Thunder played their final game hosting the La Cite Coyotes on Feb. 12 losing by a score of 3-0, closing out a disappointing season with a 1-19 record.
The loss gave the team their worst record in the last 10 years, a last place finish in the east division and 20th overall in the OCAA
Algonquin had an early 8-2 lead in the third set but just like the first two sets, the Coyotes mustered together a comeback to take the lead 18-17 prompting an Algonquin timeout, however Algonquin was unable to rally back and dropped the set 25-20.
Adam Waller had 17 assists for the Thunder and Gareth Luke led the team in kills with 7
“This season has been disappointing but it’s been a learning experience, a lot of people were new,” said Derek Westerman who plays middle for the Algonquin Thunder.
And a lot of players were new. Adam Waller and Michael Ryan Bloom were the only returning players on the 13-man squad, and both were first-year players last season.
Multiple players plan on returning to the team next season, and they believe they will be a much better team.
“For sure I’ll be returning,” said Craig Dufresne who plays libero for Algonquin. “We only have about two or three guys not coming back so we should be a good returning squad.”
“At the beginning of the season we couldn’t keep up with other teams,” said Dufresne. “But now we are battling back more, winning a few sets near the end and it goes to show we’ve picked up a little skill.”
And Thunder head coach, Mohamed Shaheen’s job is safe.
“The coach will be back next year,” said Ian Campbell, director of Thunder athletic communications and events. “He was hired late last summer. As such, he didn’t have the opportunity to do a proper round of recruiting. That is something you will see rectified next season. The players have developed as individuals and as a team and I am very excited to see they take things next year with a few new bodies and a full season under the coach’s belt.”
The next men’s volleyball team to represent Algonquin won’t play their first game until October 2016.