Weekend Recap Nov 21-23

Tommies Weekend Recap Nov. 21-23 

Five St. Thomas University (STU) squads were in action last weekend. Three of those teams played their games in front of the home fans. The other two took their talents on the road. . For some of the Tommies, last weekend marked the final time they suited up during the first half of the season. They will return to action in the new year.  

Volleyball Tommies grab second straight weekend sweep 

STU’s Men’s and Women's Volleyball teams were in action in front of the STU faithful. Both teams took on the UNB Saint John Seawolves in a trio of matches. All three were taken by the Tommies. Two of those victories came in dramatic fashion. Sunday marked the annual Think Pink games in support of the Chalmers Foundation.  

The Men’s Tommies kicked the volleyball action on Saturday. The team took down the Seawolves by a score of 3-0. STU began the game with a close first set. Both teams battled back and forth, until the Tommies pulled ahead late. They won 27-25. STU found victory in the next two sets to take the match. STU won their sixth straight game where they failed to drop a set.  

Sunday was a different story. STU dropped the first set to the Seawolves. However, the team battled back to take the next two games. Your Tommies were narrowly defeated in the fourth set, setting the stage for the fifth set. Fourth-year middle Mason Brewster smashed the ball out of the reach of the Seawolves to give STU the victory. He was an impact player during the game, finishing with 14 kills on 24 attempts.  

The Women’s Volleyball team was equally impressive. STU fell behind early. They were defeated 25-17 in the first set, and 25-22 in the second. However, the team found another gear in the third. The team ended up taking the set 25-17. The next two matches were extremely close. STU took both of them by two points. Kathleen Boyle ended the game with a service ace. She also finished with 20 kills and 17 digs.  

Women’s Hockey Tommies split final games of the semester 

STU’s Women’s Hockey team also took the ice last weekend. They were at home for a pair of games, both of which were crucial for their placement in the standings heading into the winter break. STU took one of the two games. The games were the final two of the first semester.  

STU began the home stand on Friday night with a showdown against the UPEI Panthers. During the game, STU managed to get on the board first. Forward Nadia Lavoie continued her hot streak. She fired a knuckle puck at the net, fooling the goaltender for her seventh of the season. Your Tommies held the lead until midway through the third period, when UPEI scored two goals in less than four minutes. In the end, STU was narrowly defeated 2-1.   

Your Tommies were back in action on Saturday night. They faced the Universite de Moncton Aigles Blues. STU broke the scoreless deadlock midway through the third, when forwards Claire Nimegeers and Lauren Smith scored less than a minute apart. Nimegeers shot was perfectly placed over the goalie's shoulder. Trinity Webber added an empty net goal to ice the victory. Goaltender Katie Sweeney collected her first shutout of the season.  

Both games last weekend held a special meaning. Friday night was in support of Grace House. Fans were encouraged to donate hygiene products in support of a local women’s shelter. On Saturday, STU celebrated their 18 players who were named U Sports Academic All-Canadians last year.  

Basketball Tommies find victory on the road 

STU’s Men’s and Women's Basketball teams were on the road last weekend. They were in Charlottetown on Saturday for a pair of matches against the Holland College Hurricanes. Both teams found themselves on the victorious end of the scoreboard.  

The Men’s Squad were in a back-and-forth game against the Hurricanes. Neither team was able to gain momentum and carry things for long stretches. This all changed late in the fourth quarter, when Evan Valanne hit a layup to give STU a two-point lead with less than two minutes left in the game. Your Tommies went on a 6-4 run to seal the victory. STU won 86-82.  

STU’s Women’s Basketball team was equally impressive. The squad fired on a cylinders to start the game, going on a seven-point run. STU took a three-point lead to the locker room at halftime. However, Holland College came from behind to take the lead midway through the third quarter. The lead was short lived, as STU pulled away in the fourth. Your Tommies defeated the Hurricanes 57-43.  

What’s on Tap for Next Weekend 

Things are starting to slow down for your Tommies. Next weekend is a road heavy one. It it also the second last weekend of the first half of the season. Only three teams will be in action.  

STU’s Women’s Basketball team kicks off the weekend. The team will be on the road in Halifax for a Saturday evening showdown against the MSVU Mystics. First serve is set for five o’clock. The teams will match up against each other again on Sunday afternoon. First serve is at one o'clock.  

The Men’s and Women's Basketball teams are also in action next weekend. Your Tommies will be on the road for a pair of evening games against the UNB Saint John Seawolves. Tip-off is set for six o’clock for the Women, and eight o’clock for the men.