By Reegan MacAulay
The Holland Hurricanes had an up-and-down weekend on the road, with four clubs totalling two victories across five games in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Here’s how each team fared in Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) competition on Saturday, Nov. 15, and Sunday, Nov. 16.
Women’s Volleyball
The women’s volleyball Hurricanes captured their third straight-set victory of the season with a dominant performance against the Université de Saint-Anne (USTA) Dragons on Saturday in Church Point, N.S., with set scores of 25-21, 25-8, and 25-20.
Fifth-year left-side Jenna O’Neill (Cornwall, P.E.I.), third-year right-side Maria Moores (Conception Bay South, NL), and fifth-year left-side Jamie Spencer (Fort Frances, Ontario) each scored nine kills and combined for 22 digs. It was Spencer’s first start of the season, which included 11.5 points, two service aces, and two blocks.
The Hurricanes, who have yet to lose a set in any of their victories so far and have won three of their last four matches, are now 3-3 and tied for fifth in the conference with the Mount Allison Mounties.
Ironically, those two teams will meet in the next battle, set for a rare Tuesday night showdown on Nov. 18 in Sackville, N.B.
Connect with the women’s volleyball Hurricanes at www.instagram.com/caneswvball.
Men’s Volleyball
The men’s volleyball Hurricanes lost both games of a doubleheader against a red-hot USTA Dragons squad in Church Point, N.S.
USTA won every set in both contests. Saturday’s set scores were 25-17, 25-20, and 25-17, while Sunday’s set scores were 25-16, 25-21, and 25-22.
Fourth-year left-side Carson Gray (Stratford, P.E.I.) led the team all weekend, totalling 20 kills, 12 digs, and 22 points.
Holland is now 3-5 and fifth in the conference, two points behind a two-way tie for third. They look to snap their three-game skid when they return to their home court next weekend with a doubleheader against the Dalhousie Rams, which will close the 2025 portion of the regular season.
Connect with the men’s volleyball Hurricanes at www.instagram.com/canesmvball.
Women’s Basketball
The women’s basketball Hurricanes held off the University of New Brunswick Saint John (UNBSJ) Seawolves by one point in a nail-biting 65-64 victory on Saturday in Saint John, N.B., for their third of the season.
Holland executed a stronger start, leading 14-11 after the first quarter, and maintained a slight offensive advantage through halftime (30-29) and the third quarter (47-43).
In the fourth and final quarter, the match turned into a back-and-forth war. It began with the Hurricanes extending their lead into double digits, but just past halfway, the Seawolves reeled them in, and each team exchanged leads. Ultimately, Holland proved superior in the final minute, particularly courtesy of two clutch free throws by second-year guard Nykeva Brown (Halifax, N.S.), and held on by the slimmest of margins.
Notably, rookie guard Maryn Kline (Halifax, N.S.) had her most impressive performance to date, recording 16 points and adding a 5-for-12 field-goal record, a 2-for-6 three-point record, a 4-for-5 free-throw record, four rebounds, and one assist.
The Hurricanes are now 3-1 and are amidst a four-way tie for the conference’s top spot. Their next game will be against one of those teams, the STU Tommies, in their long-awaited home-opening match next Saturday, Nov. 22.
Connect with the women’s basketball ‘Canes at www.instagram.com/hurricanesbball.
Men’s Basketball
The men’s basketball Hurricanes dropped their fourth match of the season 86-65 to the UNBSJ Seawolves on Saturday in Saint John, N.B.
Holland had a fantastic start, outscoring UNBSJ in the first two quarters, leading 46-35 at halftime, and dominating physically. However, the third quarter was when things began to shift, as the Seawolves found their missing spark and slowly closed the gap to two (54-52), outscoring Holland 17-8.
They saved their best for last in the fourth and final quarter, exploding for 34 points and allowing just 11 from Holland, running away with an 86-65 victory. In the second half alone, UNBSJ outscored Holland by a whopping 51-19.
Despite the tough result, Holland’s top players put together a stellar performance, with fourth-year guard/forward Spencer Rossiter (Summerside, P.E.I.) leading the way with 15 points.
The Hurricanes are now 1-3, putting them in a tie for fifth in the conference. They’ll now shift their focus to their home-opener next Saturday, Nov. 22, with the unbeaten STU Tommies, tied for the conference lead, scheduled to visit.
Connect with the men’s basketball Hurricanes at www.instagram.co/hurricanesbball.
Connect with the Holland Hurricanes at www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes, and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.
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