FANSHAWE 3, CAMBRIAN 1

PETERBOROUGH, Ont. – In the final game of Day 1 at the OCAA Women's Volleyball Championship at Trent University, the West Division's third seeded team, the Fanshawe Falcons defeated the second seeded team from the East, the Cambrian Golden Shield in a hard-fought four sets.

Fanshawe dominated the first set 25-14 but Cambrian battled back and won the second set 25-23. Fanshawe was able to fend off the Cambrian effort and win the third set 25-23 and the Falcons closed out the match with a 25-20 win in the fourth and final set.

In the first set, Fanshawe got off to an early start with a 13-5 lead. Despite a good defensive effort by Cambrian they were not able to stop a series of tough serves and kills. Emilie Lavole (Sudbury) contributed three big kills to the Cambrian effort, while Ashley Hosfeld (Chatham) led Fanshawe with five kills for the win.

Cambrian came out firing in the second set and was neck and neck with the Falcons to start the set. Brandie Ellis (Newbury) led the Falcons with some crucial blocks and kills that helped widen the gap from Cambrian. However, Cambrian was able to battle back and even the score at 21. With a few key plays from Shawna Metcalfe (Azilda), Cambrian took the victory 25-23.

Fanshawe refocused for the third set and established a commanding lead. Again Ellis led the Falcons with a string of kills to create a 12-5 lead. Metcalfe and Lavole rallied their team to force a comeback, narrowing the gap to 16-14. After trading points for a while, Cambrian was able to take the lead, 21-20. In an exciting finish, with a series of long, hard fought rallies, Fanshawe claimed the victory, 25-23.

The fourth set saw both teams fighting for every point with great offensive and defensive plays. Shawnie Jackson (Thamesville) and Mallory Limage (London) had several digs, allowing Fanshawe to run their offence and claim an early lead. With the score at 24-19, Cambrian tried to make a comeback, but was unable to close the gap in time. Fanshawe won the set 25-20.

Player of the Game for Cambrian was Metcalfe who provided lots of solid offence and defence for the Golden Shield while Hosfeld took top honours for Fanshawe for her contributions to her team's victory.

Next match-up for Fanshawe will be Friday night at 8 p.m. when they meet the defending champion Humber Hawks and next action for Cambrian will be at 3 p.m. Friday versus the host team Trent Excalibur.

Source: Trent University