Lost a battle, but the war still goes on

Hey everyone,

This past weekend Dalhousie University and ourselves grinded it our for the AUS championship title. After 2 close 4 set matches, Dal prevailed with the banner. We left Thursday to travel up to Halifax for our Friday evening match, the match was a barn bunner, back and fourth, clearly showing that no team wanted to give up the loss easisly. Set scores were 25-20, 25-22, 28-30 and 26-24. We actually were up in the 4th set 24-23, but were unable to capitalize on some points and Dalhousie pulled out the win. Recieving honors for the match was #1, Brett LaDrew, who tallied up 8 kills and 3 blocks in the 4 set match. Leading into Sunday's match, we realized the attitude had to be 'must win'...and for the 700 plus fans (thank you by the way...surreal experience!!), our mindset starting off was definitely that. The first set pushed into extra points, with dalhousie taking it 28-26. In the 2nd set, we bounced back to pull out a 26-24 win. At this point, it seemed to be a nail bitter finish. However, as the 3rd and 4th set would pan out, our team found it more and more challenging to sideout and compete against the Tigers. They took the following sets with scores of 25-19 and 25-20. Recieving the player of that match, and deservingly so was 5th year, graduating senior, John Sheehan! Who had 4 kills, 8 digs, and 3 blocks.

After the game on Sunday, I heard someone in the crowd say 'Back to the old ways I guess' as they left the gym, part of me wanted to say something but I figured the best way to preach my thoughts would be on here. The 'old ways', as that fan stated, was Dalhousie dominating the AUS year after year, the 'old ways' was UNB making playoffs and having to hope for a poor performance by Dalhousie and a standout performance by themselves to have a real opportunity to take home the title. The 'old ways', do NOT exist to our program any longer. Even prior to last season, when we defeated Dalhousie, our program was on the uprise, graduated alumni like Greg Black, Davin St. Pierre, Ryley Bolden (along with countless others) changed the history of our program. They demonstrated that our team could be a force to be reckoned with, and even if losing the banner happened, the program itself was still very much a 'championship' program. Now if I sat here and said that standing on the endline after the match watching Dalhousie win their awards, or hearing them cheer in the lockerroom downstairs as we sat in ours quietly after the match wasn't extremely torturing as an player, I'd be lying through my teeth! Because I want to win, everyone on our team did...It's why athletes play sports at higher levels. Pro athletes gut it out each year during their seasons, and they may not all be champions in the end, and battles may be lost...but the war goes on, and they strive to be better the following season.

BUT, a large positive that I personally can take away from this weekend is, I'm only 4th year, I still get my final crack at re-gaining the AUS banner next season. We lose 2 seniors, but have a solid returning core, and great additions joining our family next season. I hope that our loss this past Sunday stays vivid in my teammates minds, and that feeling of salt in the wound doesn't leave their body too quickly but rather challenges them each and everyday during the off season to make themselves better, to create the best opportunity possible for our team next season, because it unquestionably will for me.

As mentioned above, we lose 2 players this season...I want to say thank you and goodbye to those two graduating seniors. John Sheean and Kyle Blanchard, I can't say enough about the two of you. Your class acts, on and off the court and over your careers at UNB, you've brought the program into a new era and now (regardless of the final results this weekend), can walk away from the jersey's as proud alumni!

This week I'm going to introduce you to a first year guy, who has a bright future with our program; Cody Timmons (#16)...aka 'T'! Cody's a 1st year 6'5ft Middle out of Halifax, NS who's studying business at UNB. He brings a personal swag to the court (practice or match) every single day, and although his boisterous cheering after he blocks you, or aces you, may get under guys skin sometimes, to me, it has shown his true competitive nature...and how much winning matters to him as an athlete. Something that will benefit our team in years to come as he becomes a more key player on the court. Here are some facts about the kidd:

Q) Why did you choose to play volleyball at university instead of basketball?

A) I chose volleyball because UNB had just won the aus title and the program was on a rise. I knew after watching UNB play while I was in high school, that I could only get better if I practiced with a quality team each day. Also, Dan had just recieved CIS coach of the year so I knew he would push me constantly also.

Q) What has been your favorite moment as a Varsity Red thus far?

A) My first CIS kill! It was late in the 2nd set against MUN and we had a comfortable lead, and Brooksie was on the court and I knew he'd wanna hook me up. Sure enough, we passed a 3-ball and I hit a 51 deep into 5! I couldn't help but smile while Blanchard grabbed me and shook the hell outta me to celebrate.

Q) What is our biggest goal to obtain during the off season?

A) My biggest goal in the off season is to add a couple of inches to my vertical jump. I could get away with my spike touch in high school, but everyone in this league puts up a high block. A lot of plyometrics and strength training for me over the summer months!

Season may be done, but the blog isn't! Logan and I will still be keeping you all up to date about our teams community activities throughout the remainder of the school year, so stay tuned! Cheers everybody...and thanks again for all your support throughout the season at our matches, you're all the best!

Costa

Fighting for a spot at Queens...

Hi everyone,

I hope everyones doing well. This past weekend we finished up our regular season matches by travelling to Halifax to face Dal. Going into the weekend, we needed atleast one win between the 2 matches to hold first place and 'host' the best 2/3 play off series. The two matches turned out to be dog fight barn burners.

In the first match, we lost in four sets, with scores of (26-24, 25-19, 18-25, 25-15). It was a battle from the first point to the last, with nerves and tentative play, playing a contributing role to the match, on both sides of the net. Looking back on the match now, you realize how simple mistakes can cost you long term and more importantly, sometimes you just gotta man up and play the game you're capable of playing. Walking away with the player of the match, was 5th year middle John Sheehan, who tallied up 5 kills, 1 dig and 7 blocks throughout the 4 set match.

Day 2 brought the crowds to the edge of their seats once again, as both teams slugged it out back and fourth until a 5th and final set was to decide who would finish top in the AUS for regular season. Having a slow start in the 5th set is not something any team wants to happen, but it can happen...and life goes on. We were unable to find points early on in the 5th set, giving dal a 8-3 lead at the switch. Dal went on to win the match 15-8. The set scores were (25-23, 18-25, 25-15, 22-25, 15-8). Player of the match was 2nd year middle, B la D (Brett LaDrew) rocking out with 5 kills, 1 dig, and 5 blocks.

Obviously finishing the weekend off with 2 loses is not what our team wanted leading into playoffs. But as I mentioned above, life goes on. On day 2, 2 teams grinded it out, and in a 5th set match, someone wins, someone loses. It's in the past, and our team now has this week to watch gametape, study our opponents, practice hard and prepare to battle to re-claim our AUS title! Last year, our UNB team was able to do something our program hadn't done in decades, and that was capture an AUS championship, and our team did it in 2 matches, defeating dal at home in the 2nd match. This year, our UNB team has the opportunity to do something that has never happened before. Go down to dal, grind out a win on their turf, then come back to UNB and win the AUS on home court! The title is up for grabs and myself, my 16 teammates, our trainer, and our 3 coaches all want! It's time to man up! Our first best of 3 series match is on Friday night at 7pm. If you can fill up a carload of people (or 2 or 3 cars haha), do it up! The more UNB fans in the dalplex, the better! The 2nd match of the AUS playoffs will be on Sunday at UNB at 3pm! The winner of this series will represent the AUS at the CIS championships March 4-6th at Queen's University in Kingston, ON.

This week I'm going to introduce you to our captain, Matt Sweet (#4). I've known Sweet since grade 7. We played against each other in Junior High and High School. We were teammates on provincial from 16U all the way up to Canada Games in 2009! I'll be the first to say that if it wasn't for Matt, I wouldn't be the player I am today. He always was the top players growing up, and I constantly wanted to be as good as him, and it always challenged me to become better at different aspects of the game. Matt's a 6'2 leftside hitter, who jumps through the gym! He was named an AUS all-star last season and is in the running once again this year. Here are some facts him:

Q) Why did you choose UNB?
A) I choose to come to UNB because I wanted to play volleyball after high school and UNB's team was becoming more well known as a top calibur program in the CIS.
Q) Who is your favorite pro athlete?
A) My favorite pro athlete is Joe Sakic because he's clutch and gets the job done when it has to be.
Q) What is your best volleyball memory at UNB?
A) Winning the AUS championship last season.

Thats all for this week! Thanks for checking out the blog, and do your best to make it out to our home match this Sunday at 3pm at the Currie Center, you fans are our 7th man without a doubt!Cheers,
Costa

Thought I'd show you guys the new look I'm trying out. We hosted the Memorial Sea Hawks for two games this past weekend, with a win on both days for us. Saturday we won 3-0. The first 2 sets we came out firing, everybody was playing well and we didn't let up or have any major slip ups. The third set was much closer, our team really became complacent and relaxed out on the floor. We still managed to get the win but if we play that way against stronger teams we won't have the same result.

Sunday we won again 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-23). This game was very similar to our first game. We had a few lineup changes but the first 2 sets we again came out strong to take the wins. The third set however we relaxed and let off the gas again, which is something we will have to work on.

This week I'm going to introduce you to Marc White, who had a fantastic performance on Sunday - 15 kills on 21 swings with zero errors, earning him player of the game. Marc is a second year Business student, from New Maryland Fredericton. Marc is a 6 ft 2 in outside hitter. He has been having a really good year while recently playing with a nagging injury. Marc is excited for the coming weeks where we have the chance to cement our first place spot in league and host AUS Finals.

See you next time

Logan