GEE-GEES MAKE A STATEMENT AGAINST BLUES
Despite the disappointing defeat, Toronto still finished atop the league and will play the fourth-seeded Lakehead Thunderwolves in the first round of the playoffs. Lakehead finished fourth in the East at 7-12 after splitting a two-game series with the Ryerson Rams. Erin Gallagher had 19 kills and seven digs for the Rams in a 3-2 win at the Kerr hall Gym Saturday. Ashley Baer led Lakehead with 13 kills, while setter Erin Weir had 40 assists. Gabrielle Ladouceur had 11 kills and Lindsey Johnson had 14 digs for the Wolves in their 3-1 win over the Rams in the rematch Sunday. Ryerson took the first set but the Thunderwolves scored an emotional win in a grueling 34-32 second set before sweeping the last two.
In the West, the Western Mustangs and McMaster Marauders will host the two quarter-finals. The two powers met last Wednesday with the Marauders (14-5) posting a stunning 3-0 win. Cary Welch had nine kills for Mac, while Jennifer Holt had 30 assists. Ashley Jones led the Mustangs with eight kills. It was just the second loss of the season for Western (17-2). McMaster also beat the Windsor Lancers 3-2 Saturday and will next play in the quarters against the West's third-seeded Laurier Golden Hawks. The Hawks (13-6) played once this week, defeating rival Waterloo 3-1 Saturday. Danielle Walker and Kaitlin Sauder had 16 and 13 kills respectively for Laurier. Waterloo, led by Gabriella Lesniak's 15 kills, took the first set 25-20 before the Hawks rallied to win three straight.
Western will meet the Lancers (12-7) in the other playoff match-up. Windsor finished up strong with a 3-0 win over the Brock Badgers Sunday. The Lancers won by scores of 25-17, 26-24 and 25-12. Andrea Eansor had nine kills and 13 total points for the Lancers. Kelly Paolini led the team with 28 assists, also a match high.
The Lions (14-5) placed third in the East. They head to Ottawa with a couple solid wins under their belts - York beat Queen's 3-1 Saturday behind Elizabeth Salas-Chavez's match-best 19 kills. They also defeated RMC 3-0 Sunday. Krysty Girardo and Nicole Carleton-Burnham had nine kills each for the Lions. Brenda Andrew led RMC with nine kills and 11 points.
(Photo: Ottawa's Karin Gagnon prepares to deliver a big serve. Photo By O. N. Action Photos.)