The Tigers had an exceptional weekend at Laval, going undefeated (3-0) in the third and final AUS-RSEQ , securing themselves a first place finish in the AUS. The Tigers took on some tough competition including Montreal, Sherbrooke, and Laval. Bryan Duquette led the Tigers this weekend with a total of 54 points, including 41 kills and 25 digs. Duquette's totals this weekend were well above his season averages heading into the Interlock.
In their first match of the Interlock, the Tigers faced the Montreal Carabins on Friday night. The first set was a tight match up as both teams came out strong with total kills of 16 for the Tigers and 14 for Montreal. The set ended 26-24 in favour of Montreal. The Tigers came back firing, winning the next three sets with scores of 25-18, 25-13, and 25-22 to end the match 3-1. Duquette led the game with 20 kills, 12 digs and five block assists. Jonathan Macdonald also performed well for the Tigers with 45 assists, and eight digs.
On Saturday morning, the Tigers took on the Sherbrooke Vert et Or in what ended in a straight-set sweep for the Tigers. The Tigers started the game out with a kill percentage of 0.414 in the first set, compared to Sherbrooke's 0.069 and took the set with ease with a score of 25-13. Sherbrooke picked it up in the next two sets with scores of 25-19 and 28-26, but they were still unable to take a set off the Tigers. Once again Duquette led the game with15 kills, nine digs, and six block assists. Scott Bailey also stepped up for the Tigers notching 10 kills, 10 digs and two block assists.
That same night, the Tigers faced the host team, Laval Rouge et Or. The Rouge et Or handed the Tigers their only loss of the regular season in the fall, but would not be able to do it again. Although the Tigers had fewer total kills than Laval, they had a balanced attack with a total kill percentage 0.412 and played a strong defensive game with a total of 25 digs and 14 block assists. The Tigers defeated the hosts in a straight-set victory (25-21, 25-20, 25-21). The Tigers were led by Kristen O'Brien with 10 kills and Alex Dempsey with nine, along with Matthew Donovan who added six huge block assists.
Setter Jonathan Macdonald also had a great weekend with 117 assists and 24 digs.
The Tigers head to Newfoundland this weekend and will be back at home to host UNB January 30 and 31 in their last games of the regular season.