Rams defeat Crusaders in girls supervolley action, 3 sets to 1

The end result may have been a loss, but the Vanier Crusaders team, which stepped onto the court Thursday night to face the Porter Creek Rams again, couldn’t have looked more different. Vanier coach Jane Londero said after last week’s 3 sets to 1 loss that her team “could play better and we will play better.”

Porter Creek jumped out to an early 10-7 lead in the opening set, with the same formula that worked so well for them last week, serve tough. The Crusaders, quickly shook off any nerves they may have been feeling, as they tightened up their passing and were able to run their offence, hitting the hands of the blockers for easy points.

The Crusaders took the lead 19-17, in large part to their serve reception. When they were not able to pass the ball cleanly they were still able to force the Rams into tough positions keeping them out of system.

The set remained close throughout, but the Crusaders capitalized on their opportunities and won the key rallies, on their way to taking the first set 25-21.

“Our serves were off, but our hits were way better today,” said Londero. “The girls also had a lot of blocks, I was really pleased with how they played today.”

The Rams shook off the rust in the second set, behind the strong play of middle Sage Brown, who took home player of the game honours. Brown had five kills to go along with countless blocks, leading the Rams to a 25-16 win.

“Sage Brown did a number on us with all her tips,” said Londero. “We need to do a better job of reading the play, that is something we are going to work on.”

Tied at one set apiece heading into the third, both teams came out firing. Neither team was able to gain an advantage over the duration of the set. Both teams served tough, attacked strong, and put up gigantic blocks. The Rams were able to amp up their defence near the end of the set and that was the difference.

After a hard fought third set, each team came out sluggish in the fourth. Brown managed to pull the Rams ahead by stringing together a serving run that put them up 14-7. The Crusaders increased their level of intensity but the early deficit was too much to overcome, as the teams played even volleyball the rest of the way. The final set ended 25-15, Rams.

Despite the loss Londero, likes the direction her team is heading, as the Dawson Invitational Volleyball Tournament approaches.

“I think the last time we didn’t think we could beat Porter Creek, but now we know we can,” said Londero. “We are moving in the right direction, its game sense, game awareness, we have to work on more consistent play.”

Crusaders take down Rams in rematch, 3-0

In a rematch of last week’s boys action, the Vanier Crusaders were able to outlast the Porter Creek Rams, to win the game in straight sets.

The opening set started out slow as each team searched for their game. The Crusaders capitalized on their opportunities and made fewer mistakes, taking an early13-9 advantage.

The Crusaders extended the lead on the serve of Tony Kim, and timely kills by Sam Wanless.

The Crusaders extended their lead by keeping the Rams out of system, so they could not establish their offence.

The Rams tried to regain some momentum back, as they blocked tough and were able to establish a more diverse offence, but it wasn’t enough to overcome their disadvantage as they lost the set 25-16.

Even though they won, Crusader coach Dwayne Stoker felt like his teams’ all wasn’t in the game.

“We haven’t really had time to practice,” said Stoker. “They were not quite as prepared mentally to play today. Also, Porter Creek played a lot better.”

Both teams found their groove heading into the second set. The Rams, having built back some of the momentum, were able to establish their block, neutralizing the heavy hitters of the Crusaders.

The set remained tied all the way up to 24-24 as both teams played lights out defence. The Crusaders were finally able to crack through the Rams block, off a booming attack from player of the game Logan McKay. With the set 26-25, Quinn Howard sealed the win with a heavy hit.

After an entertaining second set, the third set didn’t hold the same allure. Aided by two huge serving runs the Crusaders, jumped out to a commanding 15-4 lead. The Rams tried to mount the comeback but it was just to late, as the Crusaders took the final set 25-14.

Despite the win coach Stoker hopes to see his team improve further in their upcoming matches.

“Our passing wasn’t good, they (Rams) adjusted well on where to serve,” said Stoker. “It was just an off game, but we started to play better and pulled it out.”