Trip to the Rock

Hey everyone,

hope you all had an awesome weekend! This past weekend our team travelled to NL to take on memorial university for our 2 final matches of the regular season. This trip can always be full of surprises. We left Fredericton and travelled to halifax on Thurday, with the plane to catch our 4pm flight. However, due to bad weather in Halifax, our flight was delayed until 630pm, and then it was delayed until 830pm, and than 945pm, and then finally it was cancelled. So we stayed in a hotel for the night and the following day we finally lifted off the ground and headed to NL. We played at 8pm and landed in St. John's around 330, so still lots of time to rest before our match.

Our first match was a convincing 3-0 win, with scores of 25-16, 25-20, 25-14. We executed very well and were able to get into a rythem with our block n defence. Player of the match for the first game was the venezuelan assassin himself, Julio Fernandez who racked up 16 kills, 1 kill and 1 block in the 3 set match.

The following day was not the same story. MUN came out with a better mindset, and arguable we had a poorer one. MUN played without a doubt, their best ball of the season, getting touches on almost all balls that were crossing over the net and we caused serveral unforced errors which lead to the result that happened. They caught us off guard and forced us to 5 sets before we were able to seal the deal. The set scores were 25-20, 19-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12. POG recgonition for this match goes out to #11, Logan Keoughan, who tallied 12 kills, 1 dig and 5 blocks for the match. I'd like to do a quick shout out to Drew Stephens and Brad Pitcher, the 2 graduating 5th years on MUN...solid career fellas and I only wish the best for both of you in the future!

The weekend of course, finished off the same way it begin, with delayed flights, and an extended travel time home. We landed into halifax around 1130pm last night, and drove straight home, arriving into freddy around 430am. The travel escapades that varsity athletes have to deal with is not always as sweet as the normal students may think haha!

We now have 2 weeks of hard, intense, focused training before play offs begin against the dalhousie tigers. The best 2/3 series will start the weekend of Feb 15-17, and conclude the weekend of Feb 23rd, if a 3rd match is required. As I find out the specific dates and times of the matches, I'll keep you all posted.

This week I'm going to introduce you to a fan favourite local guy, Matt Losier. Matt (Marty) is a 6'2 first year setter who is studying business at UNB. He has had an awesome rookie season thus far and I'm sure the rest of his season, along with his career at UNB will be very memorable. Here are some fun facts about the kid;

Q: Why did you choose UNB?
A: I chose UNB because I liked the atmosphere and the boys on the team. Dan was also a big factor in my decision as well. I also wanted to play at home in front of my family

Q: What has been your favourite experience as a varsity red thus far?
A: My favourite experience so far was the first time we beat DAL. Every team I have been on, those NS boys where always our rivals so it was nice beating them.

Q: Who do you think will win the Super Bowl today, and why?
A: I want the Ravens to win! I really enjoy watching Ray Lewis and I would like to see him win his last game in the NFL.

Have an awesome week everyone,
Cheers,

Costa