By Troy Langstaff
The Tigers men’s volleyball season was anything but predictable. The team played to a 1-7 record by the holiday break but due to COVID-19, Dalhousie would only play three more games the rest of the season.
2021-22 Men's Volleyball Photo Gallery
The team finished with a 2-9 record just missing out on the fourth and final playoff spot in what was once again a very competitive RSEQ conference.
“I know that it was extremely challenging for guys to stay motivated after the holidays as most of our games were cancelled with no prospect of rescheduling,” said head coach Dan Ota. “I was grateful to finally get to compete… and for the most part our team stayed upbeat this year, but I know that it was brutal mentally on our guys this season.”
The team’s last home game unknowingly came on November 13th and there was lots of uncertainty with which players could even go to practice due to COVID-19 protocols. The first six games of the second half of the season were cancelled which resulted in a three-month gap in between games.
The men’s volleyball squad will be losing some key players who unfortunately missed out on a proper senior day game and ceremony. Players not returning include Jeff Walton, Malachy Shannon, Ethan Boyd, Andrew Arseneau and Arcel Siosan.
“It was a very frustrating way for them to end the season and their Dalhousie careers,” explained Ota. “We appreciate the many years that the departing players committed to our program and wish them the best in their next chapters.”
On a more positive note, a strong season by Michael Donovan earned him a spot on the U SPORTS all-rookie team. Donovan finished second in the RSEQ conference in kills per set (4.14) and points per set (4.8). Those numbers were also good for seventh-best in the country. He was tied for most aces in the RSEQ with 15.
Donovan is in his third year of academics but only his first year of athletic eligibility due to missing time rehabbing from major surgery and of course no competition last year due to COVID-19.
“Considering his long-term potential and ceiling, he still has a long way to go, but all things considered, he was an impact player in his first ‘full’ season as a Tiger,” said Ota.
Coach Ota knows that the offseason will be important for players to get healthy and prepared for the grind of a full season next year. The Tigers will continue to be a competitive team with returning players like Donovan, Quinton Dowling and Justin Cross, but they will be put to the test once again in the fall.
Areas of focus for this summer include preparing “for the grind of a full season of training and competition against very good teams. We will learn from our setbacks and be the most improved team in the conference with the ultimate goal of getting back in the playoff hunt.”
2021-22 Men's Volleyball Award Winners
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| Team MVP Michael Donovan |
Tiger of the Year - Quinton Dowling