Halifax, NS - The Holland College Hurricanes captured the 2022-23 ACAA Women’s Volleyball Championship, defeating the Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics 3-1 in the final.
The 3rd seeded Hurricanes outlasted the 2nd seeded Mystics in an exciting championship final on Sunday afternoon in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
As hosts for the 2022-23 ACAA Women’s Volleyball Championship, the Mystics were looking to use the energy from the home crowd as an advantage for the championship game – they did just that, winning the first set 25-20.
The Hurricanes came back with authority in the second set. Middle Blocker Kateia Barenaba’s dominant play at the net sparked the Hurricanes 9-2 run midway through the set, and they never looked back, winning the second set 25-15.
The Hurricanes carried the momentum from the second set victory into the third set, winning once again 25-15.
Despite a strong fight by the Mystics throughout the fourth set, the Hurricanes took the set 25-22, clinching the ACAA banner with the 3-1 victory.
Jenna O'Neill led the way for the Hurricanes with 10 kills off 41 attacks, while Ella Hickey added 26 assists. Morgan White’s 19 digs led the way defensively for the ‘Canes.
MSVU’s Marcy MacNeil led the way for the Mystics with 9 kills and 14 digs, while Mckenzie Antle added 23 assists.
Hurricanes’ Head Coach, Craig Hoskins, is thankful for everyone who contributed to the team’s success this season.
"The athletes, coaching staff, and all the behind-the-scenes staff at Holland College gave this team everything they needed to succeed this season,” he said. “I want to thank everyone who supported us.”
'Canes' veteran Kateia Barenaba knows that they still have work to do.
"Everyone should be so proud of themselves for all their hard work and dedication they have put towards the team this entire season,” she said. “Now we’re heading off to Nationals to face the best athletes in Canada, and we are up to the challenge.”
Holland College will represent the ACAA at the CCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship in Nanaimo, British Columbia, March 8-11.