Men’s volleyball Wolves lose in a nail-biter against Canadore

The Algonquin Wolves almost complete a come back after falling behind two sets to the Canadore Panthers
Photo: Nathan Heatherington
Mahmoud Abdelaziz of the Wolves scores a kill against the Canadore Panthers at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre.

The Algonquin Wolves lost 3-2 at home against the Canadore Panthers in a back-and-forth game on Jan. 10 at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre.

After falling behind two sets, the Wolves men’s volleyball team battled back to tie it up 2-2. The final set was a close battle, with both teams inching ahead by one point, until the Panthers seized the lead at 12-11, finishing the final set 15-11 with an ace serve.

“It’s about motivation and consistency. We keep getting in situations where we have to fight,” said Jelle Kooijman, head coach of the Algonquin Wolves. “The Panthers are good, they battle hard, they’re competitive, they always bring 100 per cent and they go right to the end.”

Both Wolves and Panthers showed their tenacity, battling back and forth to keep the game close. But the Wolves seemed to lose their drive when they spiked the ball into the net giving the Panthers a two-point lead in the fifth set.

“We need to do a better job staying steady. We have high highs, but we dip low way too easy,” said Liam Arnold-Paquette, the outside hitter for the Algonquin Wolves.

Liam Arnold-Paquette of the Wolves spikes the ball to score a kill against the Canadore Panthers at the Jack Doyle Athletics Center
Liam Arnold-Paquette of the Wolves spikes the ball to score a kill against the Canadore Panthers at the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre. Photo credit: Nathan Heatherington

“It’s a mix of resilience, but ultimately we need to stay level-headed.”

Arnold-Paquette shone with 17 kills for the Wolves. “You have to make sure you don’t hit the blocks. I think I did a good job finding the balance to get around the block and get the kill,” he said.

“You have to keep killing the ball. You need to continue to have coverage and not lose your aggression,” said Mahmoud Abdelaziz, the outside hitter for the Algonquin Wolves.

Nick Gauthier Barber and Karl Rawlins of the Wolves put up a wall to block a spike against the Canadore Panthers at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Center
Nick Gauthier Barber and Karl Rawlins of the Wolves put up a wall to block a spike against the Canadore Panthers at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre. Photo credit: Nathan Heatherington

“We were a little timid when the Panthers were taking their offence.”

After starting the season with high errors in his service, Abdelaziz scored an ace for the Wolves against the Panthers.

“Individually my serve has improved. I found my groove,” said Abdelaziz.

Malcolm Spence, the libero for the Algonquin Wolves, kept his team in the game with six digs. “It’s a six-man team. I did my part but it’s a team sport,” said Spence.

“As a team I think we played well. It’s small things like attention to detail where we were lacking. I think we can come back from this loss and learn from it.”

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