WVB: Pandas secure spot in nationals, downing Cougars in Final Four action
March 18, 2022
EDMONTON, ALTA. - The battle of Alberta was played for the final time between the University of Alberta Pandas and Mount Royal Cougars in the Canada West Women's Volleyball Final Four first round match in Edmonton at the Saville Centre. Continuing in regular-season fashion, the Pandas captured the win 3-1, securing a spot in the Women's Volleyball National Championship next weekend in Calgary.
What began as a strong start for the Cougars quickly fizzled out at the hands of the Pandas in the first set. Outside hitter Kory White played a dominant role in the kill of the Cougars' momentum as she went on a tear, securing a four-point lead for UofA. Brick-wall blocks by the Pandas also caused issues for the the Cougars to find their footing in the first set. However, after a Cougars' timeout, they started to gain momentum thanks to outside hitter Nyadholi Thokbuom who earned five kills during the set. Ultimately, the Pandas continued to capitalize thanks to the tandem of White and Julia Zonneveld who both recorded five kills in the set and helped their team win the first set 25-19.
In the second set, MRU returned with a vengeance showing their compete and athleticism. Playing longer in rallies, the Cougars kept a minimum three-point lead during the first half of the set thanks to lasered shots from Thokbuom and Maddison Marshall with three and two kills; respectively, in the set. Despite trailing in the second set, the Pandas weren't ready to quit. Again, White led the charge for UofA offensively as she recorded five kills and three digs and the Pandas fought back for a 25-25 tie that saw the two teams battle point-for-point until the Cougars emerged victorious 29-27.
After losing the second set, the Pandas put on a clinic, quickly earning a 10-3 lead in the third. While the Cougars were able to interupt the Panda's run intermittently, UofA didn't allow any room for error. Despite the Cougars battling in a few marathon rallies, the Pandas came out on top in the majority of points, killing the Cougars' momentum. Zonneveld continued to set the tone on the court earning three kills and four digs. The Pandas quickly put the set in their win column 25-11 and the Cougars looked for a reset in the fourth.
Carrying their momentum from the previous set into the fourth, UofA quickly pulled ahead with a 10-6 lead. Utilizing both of their timeouts early, the Cougars managed to get within two points of the Pandas, but it wasn't quite enough to override the hometown team. Calm, cool and collected White and Zonneveld led the Pandas to a smooth victory, finishing the game with 25-19, accompanied by 20 and 13 kills total during the game and a 3-1 win overall for the team.
"I thought our serve and block defence was effective," Laurie Eisler, Pandas Head Coach said. "Our offensive game plan was solid and when you have a player like Kory White, that takes a lot of the pressure off. It was just a solid effort all around. They played like they can, and that's all you can ask for at this time of year."
The Pandas will move on to the Gold Medal match Saturday, March 19 at 3 p.m. against the winner of the Trinity Western Spartans and UBC Thunderbirds game.
While it wasn't the result the Cougars were looking for, they still have an opportunity to secure a spot in the Women's Volleyball National Championships by earning bronze in the Canada West Women's Volleyball Final Four.
"I think we psyched ourselves out," Thokbuom said after leading the Cougars in points during the game. "That game wasn't really us or who we can be so I think we need to take the night to regroup and come back tomorrow reset and ready to play our game."
The Bronze Medal game will be played at 1 p.m. on March 19 while the Gold Medal match will be played at 3 p.m. both at the Saville Centre.
What began as a strong start for the Cougars quickly fizzled out at the hands of the Pandas in the first set. Outside hitter Kory White played a dominant role in the kill of the Cougars' momentum as she went on a tear, securing a four-point lead for UofA. Brick-wall blocks by the Pandas also caused issues for the the Cougars to find their footing in the first set. However, after a Cougars' timeout, they started to gain momentum thanks to outside hitter Nyadholi Thokbuom who earned five kills during the set. Ultimately, the Pandas continued to capitalize thanks to the tandem of White and Julia Zonneveld who both recorded five kills in the set and helped their team win the first set 25-19.
In the second set, MRU returned with a vengeance showing their compete and athleticism. Playing longer in rallies, the Cougars kept a minimum three-point lead during the first half of the set thanks to lasered shots from Thokbuom and Maddison Marshall with three and two kills; respectively, in the set. Despite trailing in the second set, the Pandas weren't ready to quit. Again, White led the charge for UofA offensively as she recorded five kills and three digs and the Pandas fought back for a 25-25 tie that saw the two teams battle point-for-point until the Cougars emerged victorious 29-27.
After losing the second set, the Pandas put on a clinic, quickly earning a 10-3 lead in the third. While the Cougars were able to interupt the Panda's run intermittently, UofA didn't allow any room for error. Despite the Cougars battling in a few marathon rallies, the Pandas came out on top in the majority of points, killing the Cougars' momentum. Zonneveld continued to set the tone on the court earning three kills and four digs. The Pandas quickly put the set in their win column 25-11 and the Cougars looked for a reset in the fourth.
Carrying their momentum from the previous set into the fourth, UofA quickly pulled ahead with a 10-6 lead. Utilizing both of their timeouts early, the Cougars managed to get within two points of the Pandas, but it wasn't quite enough to override the hometown team. Calm, cool and collected White and Zonneveld led the Pandas to a smooth victory, finishing the game with 25-19, accompanied by 20 and 13 kills total during the game and a 3-1 win overall for the team.
"I thought our serve and block defence was effective," Laurie Eisler, Pandas Head Coach said. "Our offensive game plan was solid and when you have a player like Kory White, that takes a lot of the pressure off. It was just a solid effort all around. They played like they can, and that's all you can ask for at this time of year."
The Pandas will move on to the Gold Medal match Saturday, March 19 at 3 p.m. against the winner of the Trinity Western Spartans and UBC Thunderbirds game.
While it wasn't the result the Cougars were looking for, they still have an opportunity to secure a spot in the Women's Volleyball National Championships by earning bronze in the Canada West Women's Volleyball Final Four.
"I think we psyched ourselves out," Thokbuom said after leading the Cougars in points during the game. "That game wasn't really us or who we can be so I think we need to take the night to regroup and come back tomorrow reset and ready to play our game."
The Bronze Medal game will be played at 1 p.m. on March 19 while the Gold Medal match will be played at 3 p.m. both at the Saville Centre.