By Reegan MacAulay
From incredible come-from-behind wins in ACAA basketball and volleyball action to a doubleheader sweep in Atlantic women’s hockey, this past weekend was highlighted by much success for the Holland Hurricanes.
Here’s a full breakdown of all your recent ‘Canes action.
Women’s Volleyball
The women’s volleyball team suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to the third-ranked Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) Mystics on Saturday, Feb. 10 in Halifax, N.S. in Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) regular season action, winning the first two sets but being unable to clinch the win within the next three sets despite some impressive plays.
The Mystics started the game strong, jumping out to a 9-4 lead in the first set. The ‘Canes rallied to get within one point, but MSVU took back control for some time. Then, Holland rallied again, this time tying the game and taking the set 27-25. The ‘Canes had a much stronger second set, leading most of the way en route to a 25-16 set win. The momentum continued into the early minutes of the third set, but MSVU stayed close and eventually took control, taking the set 25-18 with a four-point run at the end.
The fourth set started back and forth until the Mystics found themselves with a 19-13 lead. Holland kept a decent gap from there but couldn’t match MSVU’s better blocking, which helped the Mystics in the fifth and final set. Holland came as close as down 13-12, but it wasn’t enough as MSVU held on 15-12 and took the game.
Morgan White and Jenna O’Neill led the ‘Canes with 10 kills and 16 digs each, with White adding three assists and two service aces, and O’Neill adding two assists. Ella Hickey recorded 41 assists. Holland dropped to 9-7 and MSVU improved to 12-3.
The team returns to action next weekend with a pair of home games at the McMillan Centre to conclude the season, welcoming the second-ranked Mount Allison Mounties on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 7pm, and playing a rematch against the MSVU Mystics on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 3pm. Mount Allison is 13-3, has won three straight games, and is 2-0 against Holland so far this season. MSVU is 1-0 against Holland so far.
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 experienced a weekend of mayhem with a three-set sweep against the Crandall University Chargers on the road and a storybook come-from-behind win against the St. Thomas University (STU) Tommies in the team’s last home game of the season.
On Saturday, Feb. 10, the team visited Moncton, N.B. and dominated the Chargers through three sets. After taking the first two sets 25-13 and 25-15, Crandall had a short-lived rally in the third set with a 7-0 lead, which was quickly slashed as the ‘Canes pulled away to win the set 25-19.
Izumo Ueda led the ‘Canes with nine kills and two service aces. Brett MacAusland recorded eight assists and two service aces. Tyler McBride recorded 24 assists and one kill.
On Sunday, Feb. 11, in libero Marcus Lapointe’s final career home game, the ‘Canes saluted the McMillan Centre crowd with quite possibly the most entertaining game of the season (saving the best for last, eh?). After losing 3-0 to the Tommies the previous Wednesday at home, which sent both teams into a tie for second in the conference, the energy-filled ‘Canes sought revenge to send their fans home happy one last time.
The game was intense right off the bat with both teams swapping points in the first set. Eventually, Holland became the stronger team and found itself in an 18-13 lead, forcing a Tommies timeout. STU slowly closed the gap, but not enough as Holland held on 25-21.
In the second set, Holland fell into trouble as the momentum shifted thanks to STU’s major improvement in hits and blocks. Although things remained tight, the Tommies took the second set 25-22. In the third set, the ‘Canes were two points away from taking a 2-1 game lead, but STU stunned them with a 26-24 set win.
With the McMillan Centre fans cheering loudly behind Holland’s backs, the ‘Canes persevered with an energetic fourth-set performance, taking it 25-16. In the fifth and final set, one with multiple timeouts, Holland put together three straight points at the end, with a kill by Izumo Ueda sealing the deal for a 15-11 set win.
Ueda and Carson Gray combined for 30 kills, 15 digs, and three assists. Tyler McBride recorded 47 assists, four digs, and three service aces. Marcus Lapointe recorded 15 digs and two assists to conclude the home game portion of his five-year Hurricanes volleyball career. Holland improved to 9-5, breaking the second-place tie with STU, who dropped to 8-6.
The team will play two games on the road next weekend to conclude the season, visiting the STU Tommies for yet another rematch in Fredericton, N.B. on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 4pm, and then making a stop in Saint John, N.B. on the way home to play the University of New Brunswick Saint John (UNBSJ) Seawolves at 2pm on Sunday. UNBSJ is 6-9, fourth in the conference (six points behind Holland), and is 0-3 against Holland so far this season.
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 shocked everyone on Saturday afternoon in a game against the, at the time, top-ranked MSVU Mystics with one of the greatest comebacks fans have ever seen at the McMillan Centre, handing the Mystics their second loss this season.
The ‘Canes had an amazing start, jumping out to a 16-6 lead, forcing a Mystics timeout. MSVU rallied with a seven-point run, adding two successful free throws to close the gap to one. Starting the second quarter up 25-24, MSVU exploded with 13 straight points, and maintained control all the way up to halftime, leading 55-39 with two quarters left... or so they thought.
The Mystics remained the dominant team in the third quarter, leading as much as 19 points, although Holland didn’t stay too far behind towards the end, as the score was 71-58 heading into the fourth quarter. As the final minute approached, with the Mystics up 83-74, the ‘Canes experienced a sudden burst with seven straight points, forcing an MSVU timeout with 23.7 seconds remaining. Six seconds later, Lauren Armstrong forced a foul and scored two free throws, and then 12 seconds later, she blocked a throw, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd and forcing an overtime quarter.
The next five minutes had every heart in the McMillan Centre pounding with stress and hope. With an incredible defensive effort, Holland blocked multiple shots and collected big points thanks to Armstrong, Amy Plaggenhoef, Molly Steadman, and Alexa Rancourt, whose clutch performances sealed the deal for a 98-86 ‘Canes upset victory.
Armstrong led the ‘Canes with 26 points, with Rancourt recording 19, Plaggenhoef recording 18, and Sarah Nyhouse recording 12. Holland improved to 9-7 and MSVU dropped to 11-2, losing the top spot in the conference to the Mount Allison Mounties, who defeated MSVU the previous day 69-58.
The ‘Canes now have two games remaining in the regular season, with one of them being the last home game at the McMillan Centre, which will be next Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2pm against the University of King’s College (UKC) Blue Devils. UKC is 10-4, third in the conference (four points ahead of Holland) and is 1-1 against Holland so far this season.
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 suffered its second loss in the last three games, losing 87-76 in a close game against the second-ranked MSVU Mystics on Saturday, Feb. 10.
MSVU had a giant start to the game, jumping out to an 8-0 lead within the first three minutes. Holland called a timeout and was able to slowly close the gap, but not enough by the end of the first quarter. Down 26-17 heading into the second quarter, the ‘Canes managed to score only one less point than MSVU but were still down 46-36 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Holland managed to close the gap to five points, forcing a Mystics timeout. Right after, the ‘Canes closed the gap to one point, but MSVU eventually pulled away, leading 67-57 heading into the fourth and final quarter, and taking the game 87-76.
Zachary Dawkins led the ‘Canes with 24 points, with Bryce Corless recording 22 and Aaron Simmons recording 18. Holland dropped to 8-8, now tied with the Crandall University Chargers for third in the conference, and MSVU improved to 9-3, now four points ahead of Holland.
Like the women’s basketball team, the men also have two games remaining in the regular season and will join the women in playing their last home game at the McMillan Centre on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 4pm against the UKC Blue Devils. The men’s Blue Devils are still winless after 14 games and have lost 84-82 and 78-60 to Holland so far this season.
Connect with the men’s basketball ‘Canes at www.x.com/canesmbball and www.instagram.com/hurricanesbball.
Women’s Hockey
The defending Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) champions clinched first place in the standings with a doubleheader sweep against the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers this weekend, winning 3-1 and 5-0 at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown and concluding the season with a 6-1-1 record.
Rookie and former UPEI Panther Taylor Gillis was the star of the weekend with six goals and one assist, giving her nine goals and five assists in eight games.
“A major key to my success was the chemistry (the team) has been able to create on the ice.
“Our team has continued to improve each game and are looking to continue the trend heading into championship weekend,” she shared. “We really wanted to get the first win on Friday because our goal from the beginning of the season was to finish first, so it was huge to start the weekend off with a win.”
Captain Jacy McMillan recorded four assists and said it felt good to end on a high note with the championship three weekends away.
“We started a little rough (on Saturday), but we pulled it together at the end of it. (Sunday) was a much better day. Good to end in first place. Taylor (Gillis) had a pretty good weekend as well.
“We’re on a good high right now. I think if we can keep the spirits up, we’ll be in a good place going in on March 1,” McMillan said.
Head coach Brody Irving said it was great to see all the support from the minor hockey teams and Hurricanes alumni.
“The players loved the enthusiasm and cheers. Gameplay wise, we did come out quite slow in that first game; battling the puck, struggling in the defensive zone, had trouble generating energy and intensity. Luckily, we were able to get some quality goaltending from Emma Arsenault and we had a strong third period. We came out of the gate (on Sunday) with speed and energy and had four lines all playing well for the majority of the game.
“The team is looking forward to a strong showing at the championships in Wolfville,” Irving said.
On Saturday, Feb. 10, Gillis led the way with two goals. She got the ‘Canes on the board first in the first period, but shortly after, Lauren Barrett tied the game for CBU with a power play goal after rookie Kailey Lutley was called for hooking. In the second period, rookie Bri Hughes deflected a shot by veteran Madison Tingley to give the ‘Canes a one-goal lead, and Gillis extended the lead with a rebound goal. Lutley collected two assists and McMillan collected one.
On Sunday, Feb. 11, Gillis stepped up even further, contributing to all five of Holland’s goals with four goals and one assist, including a highlight-reel bat-in goal. Rookie Kristyn Taylor added a beautiful power-play goal late in the first period. McMillan recorded three assists, rookie Josee Allain and veteran Abbey Gordon each added one.
Veteran goaltender Emma Arsenault played both games, recording her fourth shutout of the season on Sunday.
Hurricanes alumni in attendance for Women’s Hockey Alumni Night on Saturday, included Penny Walsh McGuire (who did the ceremonial puck drop), Holly Bernard, Breanna Cormier, Jenna White, Alexa Cann, Paige Deighan, Meghan Taylor, and Emma Stuart.
The ‘Canes will now take a few weeks to prepare for the 2024 ACHA Championship, which will be hosted by the Acadia University Axewomen in Wolfville, N.S. on the weekend of March 1-3. Holland will have its eyes set on back-to-back championships, while Acadia seeks revenge and Cape Breton looks to score its first win after a winless regular season.
More information on the championships will be released when available.
Connect with the women’s hockey ‘Canes at www.x.com/caneswhockey and www.instagram.com/caneswhockey.
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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