Cougars claim first women's volleyball national championship

It was a wild affair at the G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre at the University of New Brunswick, Saint John as the Mount Royal University Cougars claimed their first women's volleyball Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) national championship since first being awarded in 1977-78.

The Cougars defeated the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners three sets to two (3-2) in what was arguably the most exciting match of the 2010-11 tournament.

The Mariners, the tournaments fourth seed, defeated odds-on favourite the UBC Okanagan Heat in Friday's semi-final to advance to the championship, while the Cougars (No.3 seed) downed the second seeded FX Garneau Elans to claim their spot in Saturday's finale.

In an ultra-tight first set, the Cougars found themselves on the wrong end of the stick, as the Mariners' Cheyla Reader and Lindsay Mcloughlin were impressive, knocking down kill after kill from the outside, as the Mariners claimed the first set 25-23.

Known for their tenacity, including an 18-16 fifth-set win in Saturday's semi, the Cougars rebounded in the second, finding a groove of their own, as ACAC Women's Volleyball Player of the Year Andrea Price took control of the set for the Cougars – claiming the second frame 25-20.

Whatever was working for the Cougars in the second, certainly didn't carry over to the third set, as MRU found themselves nearly helpless, surrendering points at an alarming rate, while making uncharacteristic errors in dropping the third 25-16.

Looking down and out after playing a sub-par third set, the Cougars' looked to storm back in the fourth set.

Down 24-20 in set number four, the Cougars' clawed tooth and nail to 24-22 when after highlight reel rally, the Mariners had thought they clinched the championship. After one official ruled the ball out, almost certainly sealing the Cougars fate, the head referee noticed the other official had in fact ruled the ball had been tipped.

After a brief officials meeting, the point was awarded to Mount Royal, turning the tide of the fourth set as the Cougars now trailed by one 24-23. Clearly shaken, the Cougars took advantage of their despondent opponents, rattling off the next three points, and the sets' final six points, to grab the fourth set 26-24.

With the momentum heavily favoured on their side, the Cougars continued to keep their foot on the pedal, as Andrea Price reigned down kills, while the Cougars defense dug balls at a remarkable rate.

Taking an 8-4 lead into the break of the fifth-set, the Cougar would allow only three more points as they would cruise to a 15-11 fifth set win and the national championship.

Andrea Price led the Cougars, as she had done all tournament, with an outstanding 18 kills in the match – while teammate and fifth-year athlete Diyon Van Nistelrooy was awarded Player of the Match honours for the Cougars, after posting three kills, eight blocks and showing tremendous leadership and poise.

Meanwhile, head coach Sandra Lamb, said right-side hitter Castell Van Paridon was one of the biggest reasons for the Cougars' turn around after being subbed-in the fourth-set, as little used power hit racked up five kills and seven digs in the championships' final three sets.

For the Cougars, it was their first women's volleyball CCAA Gold Medal, after previously capturing silver in 2008 at Mount Royal and bronze in 2001.

“It's feel unreal,” said Cougars head coach Sandra Lamb who is in her 13th season with the Cougars. “We put so much into this and had a plan at the beginning of the year, everyone bought it and believed.”

“[We] give credit to VIU,” said Lamb. “They are a good team, with some great talent and coaching. But we really left it all out on the floor and never quit. The camaraderie on this team is just so strong and everyone each others backs and I think that's a huge thing for us.”

“I told the players just to enjoy the championship and enjoy the moment and we couldn't be happier to do that.”