Hurricanes move up
Holland College takes over top spot as it prepares for nationals run
The Holland College Hurricanes have taken over first place in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) women’s volleyball standings.
The Hurricanes defeated the Mount Allison Mountie 3-0 (2518, 25-16 and 25-17) Tuesday in Sackville, N.B., to improve to 13-2. Mount Saint Vincent is second in the standings at 122.
Sydney Foy and Meg MacKinnon each had seven kills while Dana Trainor had 11 digs on Tuesday. Emily Caldwell had four aces for the Hurricanes.
This weekend will see the Hurricanes return to action at home after playing five straight road games. They play the St. Thomas University Tommies (7-5) Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at noon.
The Hurricanes have six regular season games remaining before attending the ACAA conference championships in Saint John, N.B., on Feb. 27 and 28.
They will host the eight-team Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association national women’s volleyball championships from March 9 to 12.
They have a bye into the completion as the host team, but want to earn their spot.
“Since experiencing the loss in the ACAA championship game last year, we are focused on winning a conference championship more so than thinking about nationals at the moment,” said Caldwell, a veteran from Simonds, N.B. “We are focusing on one game at a time, and right now it is our ACAA regular season games.”
The program has had a major turnaround during the past three seasons, going from having an 0-16 record in 2012-13, a 1-17 record in 2013-14 to 15-6 last season as they won their first ACAA medal, a silver in Halifax.
Foy, a second-year left-side, said she feels the roster has become more of a team during the past few seasons.
“I feel we’re connecting better as a team on and off of the court this year over last since the majority of the team has now played together for two seasons,” said the New Haven native.
Foy said playing in the nationals in Charlottetown gives them a home-court advantage.
“During nationals, the gym will be packed for every game, I feel it will give us spirit, motivation, and the right energy we need in order to reach our goals,” she said.
To reserve passes for the nationals, email hollandhurricanes@hollandcollege.com or call 902-566-9515.