Saints v-ball teams have high expectations
St. Clair women’s, men’s teams are off to solid starts in new OCAA season
It’s been a quick start on the road for both the St. Clair College Saints men’s and women’s volleyball teams.
Both clubs carry 2-0 records into Saturday’s OCAA home opener at the Sportsplex. The women will face the 10-time defending conference champion Humber Hawks, who are ranked No. 5 in the country, at 6 p.m. The men’s team, which is ranked No. 12 in Canada, will face the Hawks at 8 p.m.
“I think we’re getting to a point in the program where there’s no fear playing against the top teams,” Saints women’s head coach Jimmy El-Turk said. “We see ourselves among that group.”
While the Hawks are a powerhouse, the Saints lost to them in a tough three-set match in the semifinals of last year’s OCAA championship by scores of 25-22, 27-25 and 25-23.
“I can’t wait to see how far we get,” St. Clair outside hitter Kaila Crough said. “They haven’t lost a game in 10 years and we nearly beat them at provincials.”
This is a much deeper St. Clair club from a year ago. Crough is one of eight returning players, but the team also added Andie Suthers and Hanna Stewart to go with standout recruits Te-Anna Stephenson and Jordyn Pranger.
“We’re better,” said the 20-yearold Crough, a St. Anne high school product. “We can throw anyone into the game and we’re all at the same level.
“Last year, we had basically one lineup and now people can get rest and if someone’s not having a good game throw someone else in.”
Even though it’s early in the season, El-Turk has seen positives with his team rallying to beat Mohawk in five sets and then sweeping Conestoga.
“The thing I love about (the win over Mohawk) is we performed in tough moments when we were behind,” El-Turk said. “In the fourth set, we were down 21-18 (and rallied to win) and in the fifth set we fought off two match points and won 18-16. Last year, we weren’t necessarily the best in late moments.”
With the additions and veterans like Crough, Kim Quintanilla, Taylor Fitzgerald and Julie Ann Milling, El-Turk wants his team to aim high.
“I think the team can be in contention to win the whole thing,” ElTurk said. “We’re looking to win gold and not setting our sights any lower.”
The men’s team has won six of seven sets to start the season, including a three-game sweep over defending OCAA champion Mohawk on the road. Mohawk has medalled for seven straight years at the OCAA championship and won two of the last four titles.
“I think we’re happy,” Saints men’s head coach Rob Lynch said. “We’re a little stronger, veteran wise, now. We’ve got guys that can play multiple positions and back up anybody. It’s a veteran laden team right now with a few young guys pushing for spots.”
The Saints last won a medal at the OCAA championship in 201415, but are also aiming high this season.
“When I left, we were kind of broken and just putting things together,” said Manik Jandoria, who returns to the Saints after a two-year absence.
“This year, everything ’s flowing. Everyone’s older and more experienced.”
Jandoria, a Holy Names high school product, had 11 kills against Mohawk, but Lynch will also lean on veterans Deen Oozeer, who along with Jandoria are the only players still on the roster who went to nationals with the team in 2015. Jared Niziolek, Michael Knight, Rrezart Sadiku and Robert Carter have been solid early, but Lynch knows Humber will be a big test.
“This is a big step for us,” Lynch said. “Humber’s a big team and they come at you. They get the cream of the crop in Toronto.
“We have to be sure we control things, but you can’t get to nationals just playing defence. We have to play offensive and take things into your own hands.”
But Jandoria likes the way this team performs together and sees potential.
“We have way more chemistry,” Jandoria said when comparing this team to the 2014-15 team. “Volleyball’s not an individual sport.
“This game will be big for us. I haven’t looked at them much. I don’t care much about that. I just care about winning.”