By Reegan MacAulay
The Holland Hurricanes went an even 5-5 across 10 games of Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) and Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) regular-season competition this past weekend.
Most notably, the men’s basketball team pulled off a statement doubleheader sweep, and the women’s hockey squad captured their first win since achieving the historic ACHA championship three-peat last March.
Here’s a recap of how it all went down on Saturday, Jan. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 25.
Women’s Volleyball
The women’s volleyball Hurricanes dropped both matches of a road-trip doubleheader against the St. Thomas University (STU) Tommies 3-0 on Saturday and Sunday in Fredericton, N.B.
While the Hurricanes were unsuccessful across all six sets over the weekend, that was not indicative of their overall effort, as they scored less than 20 points in only one set, consistently keeping the Tommies at bay and under pressure. They led several times and even nearly stole some sets, but ultimately fell short.
Jamie Spencer recorded the most total kills over the weekend with 21, while adding three aces and eight digs. Jenna O’Neill had a strong all-around weekend, achieving 17 kills, 19 digs, and two blocks. Marissa O’Donnell paced the offense with 55 assists.
The Hurricanes are now 8-6 and tied for fourth in the conference standings with MSVU, 16 points each and two behind UNBSJ for third.
Holland will return to home court next weekend against the league-leading Mount Allison Mounties on Saturday, Jan. 31, and the Crandall University Chargers on Sunday, Feb. 1.
Connect with the women’s volleyball Hurricanes at www.instagram.com/caneswvball.
Men’s Volleyball
The men’s volleyball Hurricanes also had a rough go against the STU Tommies in Fredericton, N.B., falling 3-1 and 3-0 to the league-leading men’s team in a two-game series this past weekend.
Holland came flying out of the gates during Saturday’s match, taking the first set 25-14, but the Tommies struck back with brutal force, taking the next three sets and making life just as difficult for the Hurricanes on Sunday with a straight-set sweep.
Carson Gray and Manuel Molina Lovett led Saturday’s attack with a combined 27 kills and 22 digs. Liam Galway ran the offense with 40 assists and added two kills, three aces, three digs, and three blocks.
On Sunday, Brett Macausland stood out with a solid, versatile effort, notching two kills, two aces, three digs, and four blocks.
The Hurricanes are now tied for fourth with Crandall in the standings, each carrying 6-8 records and 12 points, two behind UNBSJ for third. Holland and Crandall will battle in a doubleheader at the McMillan Centre next weekend on Saturday, Jan. 31, and Sunday, Feb. 1.
Connect with the men’s volleyball Hurricanes at www.instagram.com/canesmvball.
Women’s Basketball
The women’s basketball Hurricanes came out of their away-and-home weekend series against the Mount Allison Mounties with a 72-69 win on Saturday in Sackville, N.B., and a 72-52 loss on Sunday at the McMillan Centre for Community Engagement in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The Hurricanes extended their win streak to six games on Saturday, narrowly hanging on as the Mounties attempted a late-game rally. The two teams took turns outscoring each other in each quarter, but a strong third quarter for Holland helped them maintain better momentum till the end.
Mount Allison surprised Holland with a fiery start on Sunday, outproducing them 24-8 in the first quarter alone and forcing them to play catch-up for the remainder of the match.
Rookie Nadia Barrington executed her best performance of the season on Saturday, logging 21 points, a 9-for-18 field-goal record, two successful three-pointers on five attempts, a successful free throw on her one try, 11 rebounds, one assist, and four blocks.
Nykeva Brown paced the team with 16 points and 17 rebounds on Sunday.
The Hurricanes dropped to third in the standings after the weekend, but remain close to the top dogs – 9-3 record, 18 points, two behind MSVU and four behind STU.
Holland will take the next weekend off before returning to their home court on Feb. 7 and 8 for a doubleheader against MSVU.
Connect with the women’s basketball ‘Canes at www.instagram.com/hurricanesbball.
Men’s Basketball
The men’s basketball Hurricanes swept the Mount Allison Mounties in their two-game weekend swing, winning 87-58 on Saturday in Sackville, N.B., and 83-80 on Sunday at the McMillan Centre for Community Engagement in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The sweep was not only Holland’s best performance in a single weekend this season, but it resulted in the team’s first multi-win stretch since the 2024-25 season.
The Hurricanes kicked off the doubleheader with a dominant road outing on Saturday, outpacing the Mounties in every quarter. Mount Allison kept things close in the first half until halftime, but from there, Holland significantly tilted the scoreboard in their favour.
During Sunday’s home match, the first half had a similar pattern to Saturday’s. As for the second half, it was a roller coaster this time. The Hurricanes led by 13 after three quarters, but the Mounties found their groove in the fourth, cutting the deficit to one with 5:38 remaining. Holland quickly rebuilt the gap, only for Mount Allison to charge back for a two-point difference with 1:02 left on the clock. In the end, the Hurricanes pulled through in the final minute, with a clutch free throw by Quinton Martin sealing the deal.
Spencer Rossiter led the Hurricanes all weekend with 35 points and recorded seven steals on Sunday alone. Dorrell Bedminster performed at a season-best rate on Saturday, recording 18 points, seven field goals, three free throws, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 18 minutes. Owen Parsons came in clutch on Sunday with three three-pointers late in the fourth quarter.
Holland is now two points behind UNBSJ for third in the standings with a 5-7 record and 10 points. While STU and MSVU have pulled away from everybody else, with 22 and 20 points, respectively, the Hurricanes are still within reach of a strong finish to an up-and-down season.
They and MSVU will clash in two weeks on Saturday, Feb. 7, and Sunday, Feb. 8, at the McMillan Centre.
Connect with the men’s basketball Hurricanes at www.instagram.co/hurricanesbball.
Women’s Hockey
The women’s hockey Hurricanes split their weekend doubleheader against the Acadia University Axewomen in Wolfville, N.S., to begin the second half of their ACHA regular-season campaign.
While it wasn’t a perfect weekend, Holland finally got the monkey off their back and emerged victorious for the first time this season, shutting out the Axewomen 3-0 on Saturday.
Cassie Gordon, Kristyn Taylor, and Rachel MacFadyen were the goal scorers. Veteran netminder Emma Arsenault denied all 36 shots by Acadia.
MacFadyen was the Hurricanes’ lone scorer in Sunday’s 4-1 loss. Rookie goaltender Olivia Lowe stopped 25 of Acadia’s 29 shots.
Holland is now 1-5 with two points, while Acadia has retaken the league lead with a 5-3 record and 10 points.
The Hurricanes will return to play in three weeks, hosting the CBU Capers on the weekend of Feb. 14-15 at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Connect with the women’s hockey Hurricanes at www.instagram.com/caneswhockey, www.facebook.com/caneswhky, and www.x.com/caneswhockey.
Connect with the Holland Hurricanes at www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes, www.x.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.
140 Weymouth Street, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada C1A 4Z1
Tel: 1-800-446-5265 | Fax: 902-629-4239
