By: Caio Miari and Emmanuel Mvovi 

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL RECAP

The Centennial Colts women’s volleyball team suffered a straight-sets loss to the Durham Lords (13-25, 13-25, 13-25) Monday evening at Progress Campus Athletic and Wellness Centre (AWC).

The Colts (1-7) faced a tough challenge playing against the East Division’s best team and the Lords continue to stay undefeated with seven straight wins so far.

“Essentially we knew that they were going to be a really good team coming in,” said the home team's assistant coach Emily Joe. “At the end of the day, it was how much they wanted it, how much they were willing to hit the ground for it, how much they really wanted to put themselves out there.

“And you know how they acted on the court, they acted pretty well. A lot of girls did hit the ground, they did want it, and they stepped it up today.”

Stella Dada and Tiera-Lyn Ragbeer led Centennial in scoring with six, while Durham’s Cassidy Nicholson-Clarke and Alexa Armstrong each tied for a game-high seven points.

Angel Valenzona and Conscionz Solomon led the Colts in assists, with four.

Allyson Terwillegar added 14 assists for the visiting side.

Centennial wasn’t able to score more than 13 points in any set throughout the contest, and its nine total kills were decimated by Durham’s 21.

The Colts’ best moment in the game took place early in the second set, when they solidified a 6-4 lead. However, the Lords took control of the action moments later, outscoring the home side 21-7 to close the set.

Despite the result, the coaching staff praised Centennial’s effort on the court.

“I liked that a lot of girls showed that they want it,” Joe said. “I think that was a really big thing, the commitment that they showed today. They tried for every point trying to keep the ball up.”

Facing one of the best teams in the tournament can also have its bright side.

“I think that when we play against high-level teams, we can play well,” Joe said when asked what was the biggest lesson from Monday’s game. "The score does not necessarily reflect it but we saw how they were playing and moving as a team and that was a lot better.”

Seeking their second win of the season, the Colts will face the George Brown Huskies on Wednesday, November 27 at 6 p.m.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL RECAP

Despite Timothy Ho’s 10 points, the Centennial Colts men’s volleyball team lost to the Durham Lords in straight sets (21-25, 19-25, 21-25) at Progress Campus on Monday night.

Ho led the Colts (2-6) in scoring, while Javed Baksh added a team-best 23 assists.

Head coach Adriana Bento recognized her team’s offensive performance, but also praise the effort on the other side of the ball.

“I have to say they’re learning to be better on defence,” Bento said, in her post-game availability. “They never did this before, and it’s the first time as a team that they are practicing the defensive side.”

“This is what we’re looking for; everyone has to hit the ground. If the ball is still live to play, we’re going to learn to hit the ground.”

Jordan Nnabuogor was another Colts who stood out points-wise, finishing the game with seven.

Andrew Dube was the Lords’ (7-0) top scorer in the contest. Liam Gray’s 25 assists also set up a team-high on the visitor’s side.

“We knew this game was going to be tough, they’re the No. 1 team,” the Brazilian coach said.  “I think we still made mistakes at the wrong time, times we shouldn’t. But it’s a learning process for all of them and I think long term we’re going to learn how to be more consistent.”

Centennial had its moments in every set, but Durham outmatched them by with a late, clutch run in each period.

The Colts started the game close, down 20-19. However, a timeout called powered the Lords to a 5-2 run to close the initial set.

Moments later, Centennial and Durham were tied at 14 during the second set. The visitors’ 11-5 run, though, gave the period its final numbers.

Finally, Durham jumped up 20-10 in the third set. Centennial scored seven unanswered points, but ended up falling 25-21.

“I asked them how strong is the other team,” Bento said about which message she would give her players after the game. “They said they are strong but they know they can beat them if we play our best.

“I think for them, understanding no matter how strong the other team is, if we play our best and we play with high intensity we can beat them … That’s the ultimate goal.”

The Colts will try to get back to the win column on the road against the George Brown Huskies on Wednesday, November 27 at 8 p.m.