The University of Winnipeg Collegiate Wesmen varsity girls volleyball team defeated the Calvin Christian Eagles on Monday, Nov. 16 for a birth into the AAA provincials. The Wesmen girls varsity team is comprised entirely of Grade 10 and Grade 11 students, making their victory all the more impressive.

The first set ended 25-13 for the Eagles. Then the competition began.

The girls played a close, competitive second set with an end score of 25-22 for the Wesmen, tying the game at one-set each.

The Wesmen’s momentum and confidence was evident by the third set. Much of the energy came from the chemistry between hitter Ozana Nikolic, who had by far the most intimidating spike on the court, and the excellent court sense of setter Veronica Izydorczyk.

Wesmen defense was at its strongest when Nikolic and Pam Drawbridge stood side-by-side as a wall, impenetrable to Eagles hitters.

Early in the final set, Eagles hitter Andrea Tiel put two consecutive serves directly into the net, hurting Eagles confidence. The fourth set was all Wesmen for a while and saw as much as a 10-point disparity between the Wesmen and the Eagles.

The Eagles battled back, due to Tiel’s hustle and height. Eagles closed the gap and won the fourth set 23-25. Again, tied game, two sets each.

The even matching between the teams built tension in the Duckworth Centre. Tempers flared on the Wesmen side over some calls by the referees. The referee on the spectator side of the arena was called out multiple times, which led to a brief intermission while he audibly kicked a family out of the gym.

The fifth set and game concluded with 15-10 for the Wesmen. The set and much of the game came courtesy of the Wesmen’s ability to read, yell and act according to close out-of-bounds hits by the Eagles.

“They know how to win,” said coach Mike Lodewyks. “I’ve seen them down [in the game] and get back up and win.”

Come provincial time, Lodewyks is confident.

“They’re right up there with the rest of them.”

Published in Volume 64, Number 12 of The Uniter (November 19, 2009)