Your Wolves took the court this past weekend to take on some of the top teams in the province. Men's and women's volleyball travelled to Toronto for a showdown vs the George Brown Huskies, and Centennial Colts, while the men's and women's basketball teams took on the Durham Lords. The men's basketball team wrapped up the weekend against the Fleming Phoenix.
Women's Volleyball (10-4)
The women's volleyball team kicked off their road trip on Friday January 17th against the 5-9 George brown Huskies. After dropping the first set The Wolves found their footing and won the highly contested second set 26-24, and then dominated the third set, getting out to a 19-9 lead thanks to strong service runs from Cambria Alford and Isabella Tourangeau. The Huskies responded in the fourth, taking the set 25-21 to force a deciding fifth set. The Wolves sealed the match with a 15-8 victory in the final set, with standout defensive plays and solid service pressure. Gabbie Paquette orchestrated the offense with 44 assists, while Carys Tenthorey and Grace Pate led the attack with 14 kills each. Alford also contributed 10 kills and 2 aces.
The Wolves had a quick turnaround as they took on the Centennial Colts on Saturday January 18th in a game that had massive playoff implications, as the Colts were just 1 game back of the Wolves in the OCAA East Division. The two teams exchanged set victories, and the Wolves found themselves in another 5 set match. The team had struggles on the offensive side, but were able to stay in the match with dominant blocking and service pressure. The Wolves collected 29 blocks and 17 aces, and were lead by Grace Pate with 7 kills, 7 aces, and 4 blocks for 18 points, while Jillian Dawson delivered a career-high performance, recording 10 blocks, 7 aces, and 17 points. Ultimately the Wolves lost the 5th set 15-11.
Up next the Wolves have their final 2 regular season home games of the season as they take on the undefeated Seneca Sting on Friday January 24th, Followed by the 2-12 Georgian Grizzlies on Saturday January 25th.
Men's Volleyball (6-8)
The Men's volleyball team suffered a tough 4-set loss to the George Brown Huskies to start off the road trip, dropping their second straight match. The Wolves started strong in the first set, building a 14-7 lead, thanks to a strong showing from Liam Arnold-Paquette, whose kills helped close out the set 25-13. However, the Huskies turned the tides, led by OCAA kills and points leader Yaroslav Scidritskiy, and claimed victories in the next three sets (25-20, 25-22, 25-23). Despite trying different lineups to spark their offense, the Wolves couldn't find their rhythm, though Karl Rawlins had an solid match with 10 kills on .533 efficiency and 2 blocks.
The Wolves faced a tough challenge in their second match against the #4 ranked Centennial Colts. The team quickly found themselves in a hole as they dropped the first 2 sets, and were down 14-6 in the third set. Wolves Head Coach Jelle Kooijman decided to shake up the line-up which seemed to be the spark the Wolves were looking for. Algonquin was able to mount a comeback and take the set 25-21. The Wolves rode that momentum into the 4th, where they were able to control the majority of the set, winning 25-19 to force a 5th. The final set went point for point until a timely Colts service error and crucial block mid-way through the set swung momentum in the Wolves favour. The Wolves never relinquished the lead, taking the set 15-11 to secure the upset victory. There were several standouts in the win. Karl Rawlins finished with 9 kills, 1 ace and 5 blocks for 15 points, Mahmoud Abdelaziz had 9 kills, and 5 blocks for 14 points, Arnold-Paquette had 12 kills, 2 aces for 14 points, and Nunez-Kruus had 6 kills and 5 blocks for 11 points. Victor Landry added 5 kills, 1 ace and 2 blocks, while Derron Dinh finished with 23 assists in 3 sets.
The men's team will be back in action Friday January 24th and Saturday January 25th at home as they take on the 5-9 Seneca Sting, and 13-1 Georgian Grizzlies. Each match is a must-win for the Wolves to have any chance of hosting a home playoff crossover.
Women's Basketball (9-0)
The women's basketball team took on the Durham Lords on Friday January 17th in their lone game of the week. It was an electric atmosphere in the ARC as the Wolves looked to remain undefeated on the season. Sydney Moore got the crowd into the game early as she knocked down two 3's to get the Wolves out to a 7-0 lead. Moore finished the game with 12 points, all from beyond the arc. The Lords showed some life in the second half, but ultimately the Wolves would prevail, and secured the win 75-42 to sweep the season series against the Lords.
Ciannah Miller and Moore put up identical stat lines, each finishing with 12 points and 5 assists. Dasia McDonald had 8 points and 6 assists, while Libby Hirst added 7 points and 8 rebounds. Kate Dahmer and Jessica De Haan had solid performances off the bench for the Wolves, each putting up 7 points and 5 rebounds.
Up next for the Wolves is a weekend road trip, where they face the 5-6 Seneca Sting on Friday January 24th, followed by a huge matchup against the 8-2 Georgian Grizzlies on Saturday January 25th.
Men's Basketball (9-4)
In the first game of their two game home-stand, the Wolves men's basketball team faced off against the number 1 team in the OCAA East, the Durham Lords. Algonquin started off the game slow on the offensive side, and saw Durham take a 26-16 lead after the first quarter. Simon Desta was able to provide the Wolves some energy off the bench, and had 11 points at the half. Following some adjustments at half-time, Algonquin's defense stepped up and held the Lords to only 14 points in the third quarter. 5th year forward Ted Braden was a force for the Wolves, scoring 8 points, and hauling in 3 rebounds to help the Wolves go into the fourth with a 59-56 lead. Unfortunately for the Wolves, their offense went cold in the final frame, and Durham outscored them 25-9 to take the game 81-68. Tesloch Luk led the Wolves with 18 points and 6 rebounds, while Simon Desta added 15 points in 25 minutes off the bench.
The Wolves took on the 3-9 Fleming Phoenix on Saturday January 18th, and were looking to bounce back from the emotional loss the previous night. Algonquin got the start they needed, opening the game with a 9-0 run. Ted Braden was again a force on the inside early scoring 8 points and grabbing 2 boards to help the Wolves take a 24-10 lead after the first quarter. Fleming began to push back in the second quarter, with the Wolves lead shrinking to 9 by half-time. It was back and forth action in the third quarter as the Phoenix got within 1 point. After a 8-0 run by the Wolves, Algonquin was able to settle down and take a 72-60 lead into the fourth quarter. The Wolves didn't look back from there as they cruised to the 96-74 victory. Simon Desta had a game high 21 points to go along with 4 assists and 4 rebounds. Tesloch Luk finished with 20 points and 7 boards. Ted Braden had 17 points and 8 rebounds. Jansen Balmaceda was also in double figures with 13 points.
The Wolves now sit at 9-4 and sit 4th in the OCAA East. Their next games are pivotal as they travel to Toronto to take on the 9-4 Seneca Sting on Friday January 24th, where the winner of this game will take sole possession of the 3rd seed in the division. Then the Wolves travel on Barrie on the 25th to take on the 11-2 Georgian Grizzlies.