Men's Volleyball News Articles

02.22.12  -  Eagles Fall to Griffins in Qualification Weekend

The Men's Volleyball Team went up against the Grant MacEwan Griffins over the weekend in a best of three playoff matchup to determine who would qualify for the Conference Championships.  In Thursday's match the Eagles struggled at the start of the match and the Griffins controlled the first set winning 25-21.  After the first set, the men played some outstanding volleyball for three sets but were unable to solve the Griffins at the end of the sets and fell in four winning the second set 25-23 and losing the next two 26-24, and 26-24.  William Gelderman was the Player of the Match for the Eagles recording 21 kills.

In Friday's match, the Eagles knew they had to win to force a third and deciding match and they come out with a lot of energy and determination to do just that.  In the first set the team played great side out ball and forced the Griffins into numerous mistakes as the men went on to win the set 25-17.  They carried that momentum into the second set and controlled the play from start to finish winning 25-18.  With an opportunity to close out the Griffins, the Eagles were not as determined in the third set and lost 25-15.  The men regained their focus in the fourth set and had a couple of chances to win but the Griffins battled back and won 26-24 to force a fifth set.  In the last set the Griffins jumped out to an early lead and never gave it up winning 15-8 and the series to advance to the Conference Championships.  Jonathan Kassian was the Player of the Match for the Eagles recording 13 kills and 2 stuff blocks.

The Eagles wrapped up the season with 9 wins and 11 losses and look forward to the 2012-2013 season as they set their sights on getting back to the Championships and winning the ACAC title.

02.13.12  - Men to play in Qualification Playoffs

The men's volleyball team wrapped up their regular season play over the past weekend as they hosted the Grande Prairie Wolves for two matches.  In Friday's match up, the men came out very focused and controlled all aspects of the game building an 18-11 lead in the first set.  However, the Wolves clawed back and forced some extra volleyball in the set where both teams played great side out ball.  Eventually the men finished off the set winning 30-28.  In the next two sets the men passed and blocked very well and won 25-18 and 25-23.  Third year middle Jonathan Kassian was selected as the Player of the Match recording 6 kills and 3 stuff blocks.

On Saturday with a playoff spot on the line, the team came out motivated and wanted to finish off the Wolves quickly except the Wolves had other ideas on how the match was going to be played.  Although the Eagles played well the Wolves dominated the first two sets and won 25-21, 25-16.  Entering the third set, the men focussed on getting the energy on their side and started to take the play to the Wolves winning the next two sets 25-15, 25-14.  In the fifth the men played perfect volleyball from start to finish and won 15-6.  Playing in his final regular season game, 5th year setter, Mark Rayment was selected as the Player of the Match. 

With the win the men qualify for playoffs and will play the MacEwan Griffins in the Qualification Weekend to determine who goes to the Conference Championships.  The Eagles will play at Grant MacEwan on Thursday, February 16th at 8 pm, at home on Friday at 8 pm, and if necessary game 3 will be back at Grant MacEwan on Saturday at 7 pm.

02.06.12 - Eagles Sweep the Rustlers

The men continued their push for a playoff spot over the past weekend as they swept the Lakeland Rustlers.  Traveling to Lakeland on Friday, the team came out very lethargic in the first set and gave away the set 25-19.  Realizing they were in for a battle, the men picked up their mental intensity and won in five tough sets 25-17, 12-25, 25-18, 15-7.  William Gelderman was chosen as the Player of the Match.

Playing at home Saturday night, the Eagles came out with passion and fire right from the first whistle and dominated the Rustlers in every aspect of the game.  With Jesse Vander Meulen leading the charge they won in four sets 25-19, 19-25, 25-17, 25-20 and he was selected the Player of the Game.

The Eagles close out regular season play this upcoming weekend as they host the Grande Prairie Wolves in a two game set.  Game time on Friday is 8:00pm.

01.30.12 - Eagles Competes against the Cougars but come up short

The men's team looked to build off of their two wins from the past weekend as they played a home and home against the talented Cougars from Mount Royal.  With a packed gym the team came out hard on Friday night and controlled the play in the first set until 21 points where a mental lapse from the backrow cost the team the set and they went down in defeat 25-21.  In the following two sets the guys competed hard and had opportunities to force a fourth set but in the end fell in straight sets losing the last two sets, 25-17 and 27-25.  William Gelderman was the Player of the Match for the Eagles recording 15 kils in a losing cause.

On Saturday playing at Mount Royal for the final time as the Cougars join the CIS next year, the team struggled in the first set and lost 25-16.  The next two sets they regrouped and carried the play for the majority of the two sets but could not finish in either one and lost 22-25, 23-25.  Jonathan Kassian was the Player of the Match with 5 kills and 4 stuff blocks.

The men are still in the hunt for a playoff spot and will try for two wins this weekend as they play the Lakeland Rustlers in a home and home series.  Game time at home on Saturday is 8:00pm

01.23.12 - Eagles Sweep Thunder!

The men looked to get in the win column this past weekend as they played the Concordia Thunder in a home and home series.  Although the Thunder have not won a match this year they are still a very competitive team and the men knew they had to be focused to get the wins.  In Friday's match at Concordia, the men took control of the match early and as what has become their MOTTO this year, struggled at the end of sets but held on for a straight sets win, 25-23, 25-16, 30-28.  Mark Rayment was chosen as the Player of the Match for the Eagles.

With a chance to get their first weekend sweep for the season on Saturday at home, the men played some great side out ball and stepped up the intensity level from start to finish and went on to win 25-18, 25-20, 25-22.  With the win their record goes to 5-9 as they continue to push for a playoff spot.  Todd Van Driel was chosen as the Player of the Match for the Eagles.

Next action for the Eagles is this Friday as they host the Mount Royal Cougars from Calgary who are considered one of the top teams in Canada.

01.16.12 - Eagles fall to the Griffins

The men opened up the second half of league play against the Grant MacEwan Griffins and although they battled both nights they were unable to come up with a win.  On Friday, the men controlled the match from the start but were unable to finish when it counted and lost in three sets, 25-22, 25-23, 25-15.  Todd Van Driel was selected as their Player of the Match.

In Saturday's match once again the Eagles controlled all aspects of play from the start but they seemed to lose their focus when it counted and lost again in three sets, 25-22, 25-23, 28-26.  William Gelderman was the Player of the Match for the Eagles.  The men will look to get on the winning side this weekend as they play a tough team from Concordia University.

01.10.12 - Eagles Travel to Quebec City

Over the past week the men's volleyball team traveled to Quebec City to train and participate in the Limoilou tournament.  During the first couple of days the team practiced and scrimmaged with Limoilou as they got rid of the holiday desserts!!  On Friday, January 6th the tournament started and the team played two matches winning both of them.  In the first match against Le Cite College the men played an aggressive attacking game and won in 3 sets - 25-18, 25-18, 25-23.  In the evenings match the team went up against St. Jean sur Richelieu College and struggled with their first contact but were able to win in straight sets - 25-18, 26-24, 25-18.  These two wins ensured the guys a top two finish in their pool and a playoff game on Saturday night.

In Saturday's morning match against St. Jerome who are ranked 7th in Canada, the team played very well throughout the match but could not finish and lost in 3 sets - 25-23, 25-16, 25-22 which put them in second place in the pool.  In their match up Saturday night in the quartefinal versus Sherbrooke who have the top Junior player in Canada, the men came out with a lot of passion and intensity and played their best match of the tournament winning in straight sets - 25-20, 25-19, 25-20.

On Sunday, the men played the host Limoilou Titans in their semi final.  It was a match where both teams played some great defence and swung at every ball for the point setting up a great match for the fans to watch.  As both teams battled hard, the Titans were able to come away with the win in four sets - 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-18.

Some highlights of the trip besides volleyball were - a trip to Old Quebec to see the culture and experience some great food, tobaggining down by the river, and a visit to Montmerency Falls where ice picking occurs.

Overall it was a great trip for the guys to build for the second half of play and make a run at a playoff spot.

Next action for the team is this upcoming weekend as they play MacEwan University in a home and home series.  Game time at home on Saturday is 3:00pm.

12.05.11 - Eagles Split with the SAIT Trojans

 The men's team finished off their first half schedule this past weekend as they played a home and home series versus the SAIT Trojans.  On Friday playing on the road, the Eagles put up a valiant battle against the #9 ranked team in the country but could not finish at the end of each set and lost 24-26, 21-25, 26-28.  William Gelderman recorded 10 kills and 2 stuff blocks while Mark Rayment was chosen their Player of the Match.

On Saturday playing at home, the team came out focused and maintained the intensity throughout the match as they dictated the pace of play from the first point.  With Jon Kassian and Jesse Vander Meulen controlling the net play with their blocking and attacking, the Eagles were able to win in four sets, 24-26, 25-20, 25-17, 25-22.  William Gelderman recorded 20 kills and 7 digs, while Jon Kassian had 11 kills and 4 stuff blocks.  William was selected the Player of the Match for the Eagles.

The men's team finish the first half with a 3-7 record and will enjoy the holidays before they travel to Quebec City from January 2-9 to train with Limiolou and participate in their tournament.  Regular season starts up January 13th when they play the MacEwan Griffins at Grant MacEwan.

11.21.11 - Eagles swept by Kings

The Men's Volleyball team travelled to Red Deer to play the best team in the Conference over the past weekend.  On Friday, the men from Red Deer showed why they will be a contender for a National title as they rolled over the Eagles with scores of 25-12, 25-17, 25-20.  William Gelderman was selected the Eagles player of the match recording 9 kills and 5 digs.

On Saturday, the men showed more team unity and played some outstanding volleyball for the majority of the match as they pushed the Kings to five sets with an opportunity to win.  Unfortunately, the Kings rallied in the fifth and won with scores of 15-25, 25-21, 29-27, 13-25, 15-17.  Mark Rayment was the Eagle of the match with some outstanding setting and blocking for the team.

The record for the men sits at 2-6 and they close out the first semester with two matches against the SAIT Trojans the weekend of December 2/3.

11.7.11 -  Eagles Swept by Huskies
No report submitted.

10.31.11 -  Eagles Split with Ooks
The men's volleyball team played their Home Opener on Friday against the NAIT Ooks and they put on a great show for their fans winning in five sets.  The men started very strong in the first two sets and had game point in both sets but lost each set 26-24 and 28-26.  Cue the comeback as the men buckled down and hammered the Ooks in the third set 25-13 and after being down 23-17 in the fourth, they found a way to tie it up at 24.  With some solid blocks at the end of the set they were able to win 26-24 to force the fifth set.  In the fifth the team found themselves in a hole early giving up the first four points and having to play catch up the whole set.  With the Ooks up 14-12 and having a chance to win, the Eagles stuffed blocked them three straight times setting up the opportunity to win the match.  On the deciding point the team once again focused on their block and completed the win with their 17th stuff block of the match winning the set 16-14.  Player of the match for the Eagles was Mark Rayment who showed great leadership in the comeback win.

On Saturday playing at NAIT, the team lacked focus and intensity and did not compete at all losing in three straight sets, 25-23, 25-17, 25-16.  A very disappointing loss but hopefully lessons were learned from this night that in order to be successful in this league you must compete all the time.  William Gelderman was selected as the Eagle of the Match.

The Eagles record sits at 2-2 and they will host the Keyano Huskies in a doubleheader this upcoming weekend.  Game time Friday and Saturday will be 8:00pm and 3:00pm.

10.24.11 -  Eagles Split against the Kodiaks
This past weekend the men's volleyball team opened up their regular season on the road as they played the Lethbridge College Kodiaks.   In Friday's match, the men came out very tentative and did not respond to the pressure that the Kodiaks were applying and lost the first set 25-21.  After regrouping the team played consistent for the remainder of the match and in some instances took the play to the Kodiaks and forced a fifth set.  In the fifth the men started off strong and had a lead of 7-3 but lost their focus and gave up six straight points and they were unable to fight back losing 15-13.  Set scores were 21-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-19, 13-15.  Player of the match was William Gelderman with 15 kills and 6 stuff blocks.

On Saturday the men were determined to come away with a win and focused on doing the little things right everytime to be successful.  With some strong play from the two middles, Jon Kassian and Jesse Vander Meulen, the Eagles controlled the net play and again forced a fifth set.  In the fifth the team played their best and most consistent volleyball all year and won 15-7 to even their record at 1-1.  Set scorers were 22-25, 25-23, 12-25, 25-22, 15-7.  Player of the match was Mark Rayment who did a great job in spreading the ball around to the hitters and kept the Kodiaks defence off balance.

Next match for the team is Friday, October 28th as they have their home opener versus the NAIT Ooks.

10.17.11 -  Men's Volleyball Lose to MacEwan
The men's volleyball team wrapped up their non-conference play this past weekend as they hosted the Macewan Griffins in two matches.  On Friday, the men struggled with their first contact in all phases of the game and did not put up a fight with the Griffins losing in three straight sets - 17-25, 21-25, 13-25.  On Saturday, the team did battle for some extended plays during the match but again were unable to push to the end and lost in four sets - 12-25, 25-21, 20-25, 20-25.

The team will travel to Lethbridge to open up their regular season play this upcoming Friday as they will battle the Lethbridge Kodiaks in two matches.

10.04.11 -  Eagles Compete in Medicine Hat Tournament
The men's volleyball team travelled to Medicine Hat to play four matches against the Rattlers from Medicine Hat College and the Lethbridge Kodiaks. This was the second weekend of non-conference matches and the guys started to compete a little better and show good communication on the court. Although they only won one match out of four, the team play continued to get better as the weekend progressed. Match results are:

vs Medicine Hat Black - 0-3 - 19-25, 14-25, 18-25
vs Medicine Hat Gold - 1-3 - 25-19, 16-25, 22-25, 13-25
vs Lethbridge 1 - 0-3 - 10-25, 18-25, 16-25
vs Lethbridge 2 - 3-1 - 19-25, 25-13, 27-25, 27-25

Next action for the team is Friday, October 14th as they host the Macewan Griffins in a non-conference match. Game time is 8:00pm.

With co-host Grant MacEwan University the men's team hosted their annual College Tournament over the past weekend.  With 9 ACAC teams participating it was the first action for all teams to see how their new and old players match up against the competition.

The Eagles played four matches over the two day affair and although they did not win a match, it was a great experience for the young players to understand the difference between this level of play compared to club and high school volleyball.  The intensity, consistency and physicality of the league is outstanding and the men need to apply what they learned from the weekend to practices and the rest of the season if they want to be successful.

The scores and opposition for the Eagles during the tournament:

vs Augustana - 22-25, 21-25, 28-26, 26-24, 13-15
vs Briercrest - 23-25, 22-25, 20-25
vs SAIT - 26-24, 18-25, 13-25, 20-25
vs Medicine Hat - 17-25, 25-22, 14-25, 18-25

Next action for the men's team is a trip to Medicine Hat this upcoming weekend to participate in the Rattlers tournament