By Reegan MacAulay

Hurricanes fans, sports are back! There is no better time than now to get involved in college athletics, with the introduction of a new weekly video series (Hurricane Havoc) and the 2024 Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) Basketball Championships, hosted by Holland College. The second half of the winter season gets underway this upcoming weekend with a series of volleyball and basketball games at the McMillan Centre in Charlottetown, plus a couple of basketball games on the road in New Brunswick.

Here is everything you need to know for the upcoming weekend, including each team’s current standing, quotes from coaches, and what games to mark on your calendar.

Women’s Volleyball

The women’s volleyball team enters the second half of its season with five wins, four losses, and a two-game losing streak, currently sitting tied for fourth in the conference out of nine teams.

Head coach Craig Hoskins calls the team’s first-half performance “average.”

“I think overall we were better than our current record. The good news is, we’re still in the mix, but I think if you asked everyone on the team, they would agree we dropped some matches to weaker teams than us,” Hoskins said.

The ‘Canes begin the second half with two games at the McMillan Centre in Charlottetown this weekend, facing the winless Universite de Saint-Anne (USTA) Dragons on Saturday, Jan. 13 and the 7-1 University of King’s College (UKC) Blue Devils on Sunday, Jan. 14. The last time Holland played those two teams, Holland beat USTA 3-0 and lost 3-0 to UKC.

The team has two additions to the roster for the second half, including an elite player from last season’s championship run, Charlotte Sweetapple, and defensive specialist Jaqui Jubinville from Calgary. Hoskins said Jubinville will add experience, upbeat energy, and natural leadership into the lineup.

Hoskins is excited to help push the team for a playoff run.

“At the beginning of the season, I stressed to the athletes that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Our goal is to peak at the correct time, heading into the ACAA championship weekend,” Hoskins said.

Saturday’s game is at 8 p.m. and Sunday’s game is at 1 p.m. Connect with the women’s volleyball ‘Canes at www.x.com/caneswvball and www.instagram.com/caneswvball.

Men’s Volleyball

The men’s volleyball team is hungry after growing pains throughout the first half of the season.

On paper, four wins, three losses, and a current second-place conference seed has the team satisfied entering the second half; the players and head coach, Brett Butler, look to make a charge for the top of the standings in the second half.

“I view our first half as a bit of a mixed bag. We’re a very young team and that showed in our three losses, which were easily our three worst performances. In our four wins, we showed flashes of brilliance but still left room for refinement.”

“Our goal as a team is to play our best volleyball at the end of the season and we will continue to build chemistry and confidence with every practice, film session, and game,” Butler said.

The ‘Canes will be tested right away. On Saturday, Jan. 13 and Sunday, Jan. 14, the league leading USTA Dragons come to the McMillan Centre for what should be a heated doubleheader. Last time Holland played USTA, it was Holland’s home-opening doubleheader in early November, which Holland lost 3-0 and 3-1.

Along with the women’s volleyball team, the men will also be bringing in two additions to the roster, including Landen Allen from Nova Scotia, Erhomo Iroryteraye from Ontario, and Nathan Littlejohn from Newfoundland and Labrador. Butler is excited to bring them into the fold and see what they can do in the ACAA.

Butler is looking forward to the urgency that comes with the second half of the season.

“USTA is a very polished squad with multiple weapons and can beat you in a lot of ways. I’m excited to see how we stack up against the best. We may be in second place right now, but there is great balance across the league this year. It seems every team can win any match on any given day,” Butler said.

Saturday’s game is at 6 p.m. and Sunday’s game is at 11 a.m. Connect with the men’s volleyball ‘Canes at www.x.com/canesmvball and www.instagram.com/canesmvball.

Women’s Basketball

The women’s basketball Hurricanes seek to move up in the ACAA standings after finishing the first half of its season with four wins, five losses, and a fourth-place conference seed out of seven teams.

Despite the inexperience shown every game, head coach Chris Connolly has consistently praised the team for contributing at a high level. Lauren Armstrong continues to shine as a sophomore, sitting fifth in the conference in points per game and second in rebounds per game. Alexa Rancourt has maintained her elite rebounding skills as she currently leads the conference in rebounds per game. With the 2024 ACAA Basketball Championships, hosted by Holland College, approaching soon, the women will be eager to surprise people.

The ‘Canes will begin the weekend with a home game against the 6-2 Mount Allison Mounties on Friday, Jan. 12, who are four points ahead of Holland in the standings. The last time Holland played Mount Allison, Holland lost 74-64. The ‘Canes will then travel to Moncton, New Brunswick on Sunday, Jan. 14 and play the winless Crandall University Chargers. Last time Holland played Crandall, Holland dominated 83-39.

Friday’s game is at 6 p.m. and Sunday’s game is at 1 p.m. Connect with the women’s basketball ‘Canes at www.x.com/caneswbball and www.instagram.cm/hurricanesbball.

Men’s Basketball

The men’s basketball team has a big hole to get out of after a tough first half of their season, which saw Holland finish with three wins, six losses, and a four-game losing streak.

The team also lost numerous players, but has added new ones, including versatile guards Topaz Kana and Zachary Dawkins.

Head coach Tim Kendrick is excited about the second half, especially with the ACAA championships approaching quickly.

“We have certainly put ourselves in a bit of a hole at 3-6 in ACAA play, especially in such a tough conference. But our team is very excited. We are hoping to have our group ready to go for this second half, earn a playoff spot, and then make a run to another conference title.”

“Kana and Dawkins can handle the ball, score it, and defend,” Kendrick said.

Alongside the women’s basketball ‘Canes, the men will also play the Mount Allison Mounties at home on Friday night, who are 2-6 in ACAA men’s basketball action. The last time Holland played Mount Allison, Holland won 75-64. The men will join the women on Sunday to also face Crandall University, who are 5-1. Last time Holland played Crandall, Holland lost 84-65.

Friday’s game is at 8 p.m. and Sunday’s game is at 3 p.m. Connect with the men’s basketball ‘Canes at www.x.com/canesmbball and www.instagram.com/hurricanesbball.

Catch all the action live this weekend by visiting www.acaa.tv.

For more information on the Holland Hurricanes, visit www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes, www.x.com/hc_hurricanes, and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.

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