By Reegan MacAulay

Two close volleyball games on the road and a successful basketball Sunday are what the Holland Hurricanes experienced this past weekend. 

Here’s a full breakdown of all your recent ‘Canes action. 

Women’s Volleyball

The women’s volleyball team was upset by the University of New Brunswick Saint John (UNBSJ) Seawolves in Saint John, New Brunswick on Saturday afternoon, losing 3-1 in an exciting match.

Both teams hammered at each other the entire way, providing fans some exciting volleyball. The first set saw back-and-forth action at the beginning, with UNBSJ jumping out to an 8-5 lead, forcing a Holland timeout. Holland kept things close but couldn’t gain momentum, calling more timeouts while down 18-16 and 21-17. UNBSJ maintained control, winning the first set 25-20.

UNBSJ started the second set strong with a 7-1 lead, forcing a Holland timeout. Holland bounced back to close the gap by one at 15-14, forcing a UNBSJ timeout, and keeping it close again at 21-20, causing yet another UNBSJ timeout. The ‘Canes hung on to win the set 25-22.

Holland’s momentum continued into the third set, leading as much as 18-12. Holland looked to have the set clinched with a 24-21 lead, but after a UNBSJ timeout, the Seawolves made an epic comeback to steal the set 26-24. 

In the fourth set, Holland seemed unfazed by the rally, jumping out to an 8-2 lead, forcing a UNBSJ timeout. Yet again, UNBSJ exploded and made things stressful for Holland, leading 23-18 before a ‘Canes timeout. Holland closed the gap to three points, but a big block and kill by UNBSJ sealed the deal. The Seawolves kept their season alive with an energetic and valiant 3-1 match win.

Mason Babey led the ‘Canes with 11 kills, while Myah Utrosa scored nine kills and 10 digs. Last week’s Female Athlete of the Week, Jenna O’Neill, scored six kills and 11 digs.

Holland dropped to 6-6, currently tied with St. Thomas University (STU) for fourth in the conference, while UNBSJ improved to 4-8, currently tied with Dalhousie Agricultural Campus (Dal AC) for sixth. 

The ‘Canes return to action next weekend with another road trip, visiting the Dal AC Rams in Truro, N.S. on Saturday, Jan. 27 and the Crandall University Chargers in Moncton, N.B. on Sunday, Jan. 28. Dal AC is 4-7 and has yet to beat Holland, losing 3-1 and 3-0 in November. Crandall is 3-8, previously playing Holland in November, losing 3-0.

Saturday’s game time is at 2 p.m. and Sunday’s game time 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 won a close match against the UNBSJ Seawolves in Saint John, N.B. on Saturday afternoon thanks to a well-rounded team effort and a dominant 15 kills by outside hitter Carson Gray.

In the first set, Holland jumped out to a 12-7 lead, forcing a UNBSJ timeout. The Seawolves fought back to tie the score at 14-14, forcing a ‘Canes timeout. Both teams continued to battle hard the rest of the way, with Holland coming out on top 27-25.

In the second set, UNBSJ had the better start, leading 8-3 before a Holland timeout. The timeout wouldn’t do much as UNBSJ jumped to an 18-8 lead, but a second timeout would give some hope as Holland scored 12 points and called a timeout while down 24-20. Shortly after, UNBSJ quickly ended the set 25-20.

In the third set, Holland led the way for a while, but UNBSJ kept close, calling a timeout while down 18-14. UNBSJ rallied to take a 23-22 lead, forcing a Holland timeout. The set went beyond 25 points with Holland going from down 25-24 to up 26-25, forcing a UNBSJ timeout. An attempt by UNBSJ that missed just outside the Holland zone gave the ‘Canes the set win 27-25.

In the fourth set, Holland jumped out to a 6-2 lead. UNBSJ rallied back with four straight points, but Holland refused to let UNBSJ take the lead, going up 12-8 before a Seawolves timeout. The timeout didn’t work as Holland extended its lead to 18-12, forcing another UNBSJ timeout. Holland would hang on to win the set 25-17 and the match 3-1.

Carson Gray added seven digs alongside his 15 kills, while Izumo Ueda scored 12 kills and nine digs. Marcus Lapointe scored 14 digs.

Holland improved to 6-4 and maintains second place in the conference, now four points behind the 8-2 Université de Saint-Anne (USTA) Dragons, while UNBSJ dropped to 5-6, currently tied with the STU Tommies for third. 

The ‘Canes return to action next weekend with a road trip to Moncton, N.B. on Sunday, Jan. 28, visiting the Crandall University Chargers, who are 1-8 and have yet to beat Holland after losing 3-1 in November and 3-0 in December. Game time is at 3 p.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 team is now on a two-game win streak thanks to a strong 99-72 win against the University of King’s College (UKC) Blue Devils at the McMillan Centre in Charlottetown on Sunday afternoon.

Holland had a dominant start, jumping out to a 13-3 lead. UKC managed to close the gap to three points mid-quarter, but Holland held on 21-15. The ‘Canes continued to rage a storm on the home court, scoring an additional 33 points versus UKC’s 18, leading 54-33 at halftime. Sarah Nyhouse scored nine of 14 game points within the second quarter.

Although UKC scored six less points in the third quarter and even tied Holland in the fourth quarter, the team’s rough first-half effort was what sealed the deal for the ‘Canes. Holland won by a final score of 99-72.

All 10 Holland players who saw time on the floor scored points. Lauren Armstrong led the ‘Canes with 18 points while Amy Plaggenhoef added 16, Alexa Rancourt added 15, and Danielle McKinnon added 12.

Holland improved to 6-6 and maintains fourth place in the conference, now four points behind a tie for second between the Mount Allison Mounties and UKC. UKC dropped to 8-3.

The ’Canes return to action next weekend with a home game at the McMillan Centre on Saturday, Jan. 27 against the UNBSJ Seawolves and an away game in Sackville, N.B. on Sunday, Jan. 28 against Mount Allison. UNBSJ is 3-9 and has yet to beat Holland after losing 81-68 in November and 86-49 in December.

Saturday and Sunday’s game times are both at 2 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 continues to remain hot in the second half of the season after a 78-60 win against the winless UKC Blue Devils at the McMillan Centre on Sunday afternoon.

The game was all about streaks and momentum with both teams battling consistency problems. Holland started the game strong with an 8-0 lead, but UKC fought back with 11 straight points. Then, Holland took a turn at a comeback with eight straight points, eventually leading 19-14 after one quarter.

Holland destroyed UKC in the second quarter, outshooting the Blue Devils 22-9 and leading 41-23 at halftime. Both teams fired points back and forth in the third quarter, with UKC outshooting Holland 23-17 and closing the score gap to 12 at 58-46. Holland never looked back in the fourth and final quarter, outshooting UKC 20-14 en route to the game win.

Aaron Simmons led the ‘Canes with 26 points. Bryce Corless added 16 and rookie Zachary Dawkins added 11.

Holland improved to 6-6 and extends the win streak to three, remaining tied for third in the conference with Crandall, each team having 12 points. UKC dropped to 0-11, yet to win a game. 

The ‘Canes return to action next weekend, joining the women’s basketball team with a home game at the McMillan Centre on Saturday, Jan. 27 against the UNBSJ Seawolves and an away game in Sackville, N.B. on Sunday, Jan. 28 against Mount Allison. UNBSJ is 4-8, previously losing to Holland 96-83 in November and beating Holland 85-62 in December. Mount Allison is 4-7 and has yet to beat Holland after losing 75-64 in November and 87-78 earlier this month.

Saturday and Sunday's game times are both at 4 p.m.

Connect with the men’s basketball ‘Canes at www.x.com/canesmbball and www.instagram.com/hurricanesbball.

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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