by Duncan Forbes

To say that the 2014-2015 Tigers women’s volleyball team had big shoes to fill would certainly be an understatement. The team finished fourth in the CIS last year and the Tigers are the two-time defending AUS champions.

These expectations were perhaps unfair, as many well-known veterans from last year had departed and many new faces filled the void in the Tigers roster.

Despite holding a 3-6 record, the Tigers hold sole possession of third place in the AUS. Despite an 0-4 record at the first AUS-RSEQ interlock event in October, the hold a 3-2 record against AUS competition. Their two AUS losses came at the hands of the first and second place teams, the Saint Mary’s Huskies and the UNB Varsity Reds.

They kicked-off their season with the annual Dalhousie Invitational tournament in late September. They opened the tournament with two 3-0 victories over Acadia and Moncton. Their first loss occurred when they dropped a 3-1 game to the Memorial Sea-Hawks despite an 11 kill performance from Alexandra Hudson. The Tigers bounced right back the next day as they took down the Saint Mary’s Huskies 3-1 in a re-match of last year’s AUS final.

Their 3-1 September was followed up with an 0-5 October. They dropped two 3-0 games to the Laval Rouge et Or to conclude their pre-season with a 3-2 record. They then headed to Montreal for the first AUS-RSEQ interlock event, which didn’t go quite as planned as they went 0-4 as they managed to win only one set. This is nothing new to the Tigers and last year the AUS champions went 1-3 in the interlock event. Needless to say, that stretch was but a small mark on an otherwise very successful campaign.

They started their AUS regular season on the road against the UNB Varsity Reds. They dominated the first set 25-12, but they couldn’t keep up the momentum dropping the next three sets on their way to a 3-1 loss despite a 12 kill and 12 dig performance from Anna Dunn-Suen. The Tigers didn’t take the loss lightly, however.

“I think after our loss against UNB on the road, the team and leaders did an especially good job of taking personal responsibility to play better, tougher and execute at a high level,” says Scott.

Since then, the Tigers have reversed their fortunes as of late and they’ve gone 3-1 since, winning three games in straight sets, with their only loss coming at the hands of the Saint Mary’s Huskies. The new-look Tigers squad has certainly made a strong impression with head coach Rick Scott, though he says that they’ll need to tighten things up before playoffs.

“I think our team had some very good performances, but we also had some inconsistent performances,” notes Scott. “We have a great deal of new faces in the lineup and it takes time to become and evolve as a team. We are a young team but we have been showing good improvement each week.”

When asked what player had been most valuable to his team thus far, Scott was quick to point out that any success that the Tigers experience is the result of a true team effort.

“I think we have had a number of players that have been very good for us. Jessica Josenhans has really been a force at the net and is currently the number one-ranked blocker in the CIS, which is a testament to her work ethic and strong play. Abby Czenze has done a good job quarterbacking the offence, while Anna Dunn-Suen and Marisa Mota have had some very good games and I look for them to have big second halves. Amy Appleby has provided a lot of excellent leadership and direction for our young group.”

Josenhans’ league-leading 1.62 blocks per set has helped propel the Tigers to an AUS-best 2.72 blocks per set, almost one block per set better than their closest competitor.

Amongst the many new faces on the Tigers roster, perhaps none has been more impressive than Mieke Dumont. The first-year left side hitter from Kamloops, BC is second on the team in kills and digs with 1.5 and 2.37 per game, respectively. Fellow first-year left side Emma Ciprick has also made a strong impression on Coach Scott as she’s top five on the team in kills per set.

“Mieke and Emma have proven to be very good young players with excellent potential,” says Scott.”

The playoff stretch for the Tigers begins on January 11 when they host the Acadia Axewomen at the Dalplex.