Tigers fall to Rouge et Or 3-1

The Laval Rouge et Or defeated the Dalhousie Tigers by 3 sets to 1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-16, 25-15) late Friday evening in Halifax.

Early in the contest, the Rouge et Or surged in front, with third-year attacker Max Losier (Ottawa, ON) doing most of the damage. However, Dalhousie stayed within striking distance, never trailing by more than five points this period thanks to the imposing presence of first-year outside Jacob Oyler (Halifax, NS). In the end, though, it was too little too late, as a kill from Xavier Desfossés (Québec, QC) sealed the opening set for Laval by three points.

Dalhousie began to find their stride in the second set of this clash. Helped by the relentlessness of third-year outside Justin Cross (Winnipeg, MB), Dalhousie nursed a small lead for most of the interval. Laval attempted to find a footing, but to no avail despite the best efforts of fourth-year attacker Nicolas Fortin (Clermont, QC). The set was sealed emphatically by a strong kill from Oyler (Halifax, NS), as he was set up by the ever-reliable second-year setter Thomas Watchman (Edmonton, AB) to bring the match level after a pair of sets.

With the wind in their sails, the Tigers struggled to capitalize on the momentum they had built in the second set. The third period was where the gap in quality began to appear after two razor-tight sets to start the match. Laval's third-year attacker Patrick Minville (Montmagny, QC) was a massive x-factor in this interval, swinging the tides toward the Rouge et Or as they coasted to a nine-point win to put them within striking distance of taking the match.

In the all-important fourth set, the Tigers went behind early, with Laval holding a 12-8 lead after twenty points played. This left Dalhousie with a massive hill to climb, but they showed their resolve as second-year middle Lucas Condon-Oldreive (Porters Lake, NS) found his way into the match with an inspired level of performance. However, the Rouge et Or would not be denied on the night, as they continued to build to their lead as the set wore on. Ultimately, it was first-year attacker Terell Tchouassi (Carcassonne, France) who helped Laval seal the deal on their first match point after an assist from the team's unsung hero, second-year setter Charles St-Aubin (Joliette, QC).

Laval found their eighth win of the year, while Dalhousie racked up their eleventh loss. Both teams will be back in action tomorrow afternoon at the Dalplex at 3:00 P.M. AST.