Ottawa, ON - The Algonquin Wolves women's volleyball team closed the first half of the season at 5-3 after a challenging road weekend against the undefeated Seneca Sting and the Georgian Grizzlies, finishing the fall sitting fourth in the OCAA East.
In the opener against Seneca, the Wolves matched the Sting point-for-point early before a string of unforced errors and tough serves put them in a 13-9 hole. Algonquin struggled to settle their serve receive, and Seneca capitalized with back-to-back aces on their way to a 25-14 first-set win.
The Wolves showed resilience in the second set as a strong serving run from Pasha Ormerod erased an early deficit and tied the match at 11. The two teams traded points down the stretch, with Algonquin fighting off set point to force extra points at 24-24. However, Seneca's pressure from the service line continued to cause problems, allowing the Sting to escape with the set.
Algonquin carried that momentum into the third set and built a 20-17 lead, but once again Seneca's serving turned the tide. A late run pushed the Sting ahead, and they closed out the match 25-20 to complete the sweep.
Ormerod led the Wolves with 9 points on 6 kills, 2 aces, and a block, while Grace Pate chipped in 6 points, including 4 aces.
In their second match of the weekend the Wolves took on the Georgian Grizzlies in what was a highly competitive five set affair. Algonquin seemed determined early on to regroup from the previous game, and got out to the early 12-8 lead. Algonquin's offense finally looked like it had all season, and they were able to take the first set convincingly 25-17.
The next two sets saw Georgian fight their way back in the match and slow down the Wolves offense thanks to their defensive efforts. The Grizzlies out-dug the Wolves 98 to 66, making it difficult for Algonquin to score, leading to the Grizzlies taking sets two and three 25-21 and 25-22 respectively. With their backs against the wall, Algonquin showed resilience in the fourth. Tied at 16-16, Gabbie Paquette went on a clutch serving run that forced Georgian out of system where they committed three straight attacking errors, helping the Wolves pull ahead. A clutch kill from Chanel Ethier sealed the 25-20 win to force a deciding set.
Algonquin carried that energy into the fifth and built an 8-4 lead at the switch after a big swing from Riley Lancia. But Georgian regrouped, capitalized on Wolves's errors, and tied the match. The teams traded points to 13-13 before a Grizzlies left-side kill and an Algonquin attack error ended the battle in Georgian's favour.
Despite the loss, several Wolves turned in standout performances:
-
Carys Tenthorey had 15 kills and 2 aces for 17 points
-
Chanel Ethier added 14 kills and 1 block for 15 points
-
Pasha Ormerod had 11 kills and 3 aces for 14 points
-
Gabbie Paquette had 48 assists 3 aces and 13 digs
The Wolves now have a much deserved break and will be looking to regroup for the second half of the season that kicks off with a pair of games on January 16th and 17th against the Centennial Colts and George Brown Huskies.