Kajan Thiruthanikasalam (Sports Writer, Colts Athletics)
SCARBOROUGH, ONT.- Since the 2018 OCAA Women's Volleyball Championship will be hosted at Centennial College, the Centennial Colts women's volleyball team clinched an automatic berth due to playing hosts.
With the way they dominated their home opener, though, it looks like they will be a force to reckon with regardless come provincials.
The Centennial Colts (1-0) started their season off strong with a dominant straight sets win (25-9. 25-13, 25-20) in their season opener over the Fleming Knights (0-1) at Athletic and Wellness Centre.
"We obviously had to work through some jitters," assistant head coach Bronson Chu said. "That being said, midway through the first set, the team came together as a whole, moreso than I've seen in any other season. The level of communication was exactly what we're aiming for."
The Colts dominated in almost all aspects of the game as they had more kills (33-6), digs (25-1), service aces (2-0) and assists (29-5). Fleming only had one brief lead throughout the game (2-1 in the second set).
Rookie outside hitter Elizabeth Chow was impressive in her regular season debut, leading the Colts with a game high eight points on a game high eight kills.
"Liz is definitely an athlete and jumps very well," Chu said. "She has a ton of potential; what we saw tonight is just the beginning of what we could see from her."
Outside hitter Lizzie Bowers led Centennial with five digs while middle blocker Shanelle Woods had two blocked shots and setter Nadjema Soro had a game high 18 assists.
Both teams started off sloppy as they exchanged service errors as Centennial was up 6-5. A kill from outside hitter Heather Sanchez, who made her debut and finished with five kills, sparked Centennial to score 15 of the next 17 points, including eight straight points at one point to turn the set into a laughter. This run was highlighted by a pair of kills from Pikkov and Bowers.
Sanchez and middle hitter Emily Joe also had two kills each in the set as Centennial took the first set, 25-9.
The second set saw both teams exchange points early before Centennial went on a 10-1 run to take an 19-8 lead and forced a Fleming timeout.
A kill from Sanchez ended the second set as Centennial took the set, 25-13.
Highlighted by a massive kill from Chow, the Colts came out flying early in the third set, scoring the first five points of the set and eventually taking a 14-5 lead. Fleming, however, scored the next four points to cut into the lead before the Colts stretched their lead to 18-11 and forced another Fleming timeout.
Fleming, though, made things interesting, scoring the next five points to cut the Colts lead to two (18-16) before a kill and block from Pikkov halted their run. Kills from Chow and Woods sealed the deal as they took the set, 25-20, and the match.
"The energy level dropped a bit in the third set," Chu said.
Chu was impressed at the veterans, particularly Pikkov, Bowers, and libero Kadeisha Powell-Graham, providing a calming influence and setting the tone for the team.
"Considering that this is only the third year of the program in 30 years, that leadership that has developed over the last years is what has allowed the chemistry of the team to start off so well," Chu said. "Mari sets the tone with her intensity level, Liz leads the defense and makes huge plays at critical times and Kadeisha was an OCAA East All-Star last year and provides stability on defense."
As for the team's goals for provincials?
"Under the leadership of (head coach) Matthew Cheung, this program is going to do well," Chu said. "Our goal is not only to make provincials but to do well at it."
Up Next: Centennial heads on the road to play the Seneca Sting on Wednesday Nov. 1, at 6:00 pm.