Weekend Recap Jan 23-25
Tommies Weekend Recap Jan. 23-25
It was a dominant weekend for St. Thomas University athletics as the Tommies went a combined 8-1 across basketball, volleyball, and hockey. The basketball and volleyball programs remained perfect over the two-day stretch, while the women’s hockey team earned three out of a possible six points on a challenging road trip.
Tommies Basketball Sweeps the Blue Devils
The Women’s Basketball team (12-1) displayed defensive masterclass on Saturday, holding the Blue Devils to single digits in two of the four quarters for a 77-34 win. Paige Leblanc led the charge with four triples. They followed up on Sunday with an 84-46 victory, where Leblanc was lights-out again, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc to finish with 20 points, while Charlee Connors dominated the interior with 22 points.
The Men’s Squad (12-1) continued their winning ways with an 81-70 win on Saturday, led by Ceejay Hanson’s 22 points and 6 steals. On Sunday, the offense exploded in a 107-85 win. Evan Valanne put up a massive double-double with 29 points and 12 rebounds, while Jeven Eddy was nearly perfect from the floor, contributing 28 points in the high-scoring affair.
Volleyball Programs Perfect at the LB Gym
The Tommies volleyball teams protected home court this weekend, winning all four matches against Holland College.
The Men’s Volleyball team (14-1) took down the Hurricanes 3-1 on Saturday, highlighted by a gritty 27-25 win in the fourth set to close it out. They left no doubt on Sunday, completing a 3-0 sweep. Raph Fiset was a key playmaker all weekend, racking up 35 assists on Saturday and 33 on Sunday.
The Women’s Volleyball team (12-3) enjoyed a flawless weekend, securing two 3-0 sweeps. Sunday’s match saw Kathleen Boyle put on a dominant performance, recording 14 kills, 14 digs, and 3 aces for a total of 19 points.
Women’s Hockey Earns Hard-Fought Points on the Road
The Tommies hockey program faced two grueling road tests that both required extra time.
On Friday night in Moncton, the Tommies battled to a 2-1 shootout victory. Claire Nimegeers scored in regulation, and Lauren Smith netted the decisive goal in the shootout to secure the win.
The team then traveled to PEI on Saturday for another defensive battle. After Amber Daley scored a power-play goal to tie the game in the third, the match again headed to a shootout. This time, the Tommies fell just short, losing 2-1 to UPEI, but still walked away with a crucial point in the standings.
What’s on Tap for Next Weekend
It is a massive weekend of action for the Tommies as they split time between home turf and the road, with volleyball and hockey programs looking to protect home court.
The women's hockey team stays in Fredericton for the "Battle of the Hill" against their cross-campus rivals. They host the UNB Reds at the Grant-Harvey Centre on Friday, January 30th at 7:00 PM, before heading across the street to face the Reds again at the Aitken Centre on Saturday, January 31st at 7:00 PM.
Both the Men's and Women's Volleyball teams are at the LB Gym for a weekend of home action. The Men's Volleyball team faces the Dal AC Rams on Saturday, January 31st at 4:00 PM and again on Sunday, February 1st at 12:00 PM. The Women's Volleyball team will take on the Dal AC Rams on Saturday, January 31st at 6:00 PM, followed by a matchup against the Mount Allison Mounties on Sunday, February 1st at 2:00 PM.
The Men's and Women's Basketball programs head out on the road for a two-game series against the Crandall Chargers. The Women's Basketball team tips off on Saturday, January 31st at 4:00 PM and on Sunday, February 1st at 2:00 PM. The Men's Basketball games follow each day, with tip-off scheduled for Saturday, January 31st at 6:00 PM and Sunday, February 1st at 4:00 PM.
Written By: Brady Chapman