Thunder falls short of bronze

By Lucas Timmons

timm0051@algonquincollege.com

March 17, 2009

Lucas Timmons photo Charlie Hamilton had six kills against the Camosun College Chargers.

The Camosun College Chargers downed the Algonquin Thunder 3-1 (25-19-25-19 15-25, 25-20) ending Algonquin’s hopes of a bronze medal in the 2009 Canadian Colleges Athletic Association men's volleyball championship.

The Thunder matched the Chargers pretty evenly through the first 20 points of the first two sets. Camosun was able to find an extra gear for the final five points and out played the Thunder, closing off both sets 25-19.

“I think that the difference was after 20,” said Thunder coach Max Larrivée. “Camosun played terrific after 20 and three sets out of four we fell apart. They elevated their game and we didn’t so they beat us. They really forced us to play our best volleyball and it paid off for them.”

“They’re more powerful than us,” said Camosun coach Charles Parkinson.  “We had to play smarter and frustrate their big guys. When they got frustrated they started to make mistakes and that’s where we took over.”

Algonquin looked like a different team in the third set. Improved serving from Costa Solanakis and Adam Gane matched with powerful outside hitting from Ryan Debruyn and Charlie Hamilton gave them a decisive advantage.

Debruyn lead all hitters with 20 kills. Camosun’s Brent Hall led the Chargers with 12.

Algonquin carried that momentum into the fourth set. With Algonquin leading 12-6 a Camosun attack was called out despite clearly landing in Algonquin’s backcourt. The Thunder protested for the call to be changed and a reserve was called.

“It was a bad call and everyone saw it,” said Larrivée. “Camosun deserved the point. You go with your values. Our team preaches honesty and respect beyond performance. The decision was made to make the right call and to win the game the way it should be won; by scoring points when we score, not referee mistakes.”

Camosun regained control of the match after that point and quickly finished off Algonquin.

“We fell back into the old patterns,” said Algonquin outside hitter Jonathan Sloane. “Our passing fell apart, our defence wasn’t as crisp and in the end we pretty much gave it to them.”

“We were starting to be aware of the outcome way too much,” said Larrivée. “We had to focus on the process of scoring points and that’s what the guys did, unfortunately the outcome came back into our minds after 20 again in the forth set.”

The Thunder defeated the host Keyano College Huskies 3-0 (25-24, 25-20, 25-19) in the bronze medal semi-final earlier in the day to qualify for the match with Camosun.