For the first time since 2011, the Redeemer Royals men's volleyball team is headed to the OCAA final. Redeemer secured their spot on Wednesday night with a four-set victory over the Canadore Panthers.
Facing off against the host team, the Royals were playing in front of a loud North Bay crowd. The men fell in the first set 21-25, but in true Redeemer men's volleyball fashion, it didn't seem to phase them. The Royals took control early in the second set and didn't let up until they secured the victory in the fourth set. Set scores were 21-25, 25-18, 25-11, 25-18.
Royals Player of the Game was Jason Wildeboer (Bowmanville, Ont.) who added 30 assists, five blocks and two aces in the match.
Panthers Player of the Game was Jackson Brear (North Bay, Ont.) who had 11 kills, three digs, one ace in the match.
The Royals will now face the Humber Hawks in the gold medal match Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Source: Redeemer Royals
Top-ranked Humber men's volleyball will defend their crown in the OCAA championship game after sweeping the Sheridan Bruins (9-3, 3rd West) Wednesday evening, 3-0. The final set scores were 28-26, 25-22 and 25-21.
OCAA Player of the Year Joshua Fadare finished with a game-high 23 points on 17 kills, five blocks and one ace. Rrezart Sadiku recorded 13 points on nine kills, two aces and two blocks while Jake Gomes put up 25 assists and six points on two kills, two aces and two blocks.
The first set was a nail-biter with Humber on set point up by three, the Bruins managed to comeback tying things up at 24. Both sides exchanged points the next four possessions until the Hawks finally strung together two points to take the opening set.
Humber took command of the second set early jumping out to a 6-1 lead forcing a Sheridan timeout. Despite a late Bruins push the Hawks managed to outpace Sheridan the rest of the way to take a 2-0 set lead.
The two teams traded points to open out the third set with things all tied up at nine points. The Hawks would put together a run taking a six-point lead, forcing a Bruins timeout. Sheridan again would again claw back getting to within two points. Fadare would close the game out for the Hawks delivering the final two points as Humber took the match in straight sets.
Source: Humber Hawks