By: Monty Mosher
(ST. JOHN'S, N.L.) In a pursuit of six consecutive AUS women's volleyball championships, the Dalhousie Tigers made few mistakes in the 2017-18 regular season despite a considerable roster makeover.
The Tigers graduated four seniors last year, all key parts of a banner run that began in 2013.
Dal head coach Rick Scott made seamless work patching any holes. First-year player Julie Moore, just one of many new faces in key roles, led the conference in kills with 228.
It all added up to a 19-1 campaign with Dalhousie winning 57 sets and losing only 10. The lone loss to a conference opponent came in November against Acadia at a league tournament in Moncton.
The win streak stands at 11 entering the four-team conference tournament at Memorial from March 2-3. Dalhousie will play the hosts, who finished at 8-12, in the semifinal round.
The other semifinal features Saint Mary's and Acadia, both 14-6. Only the tournament winner advances to the nationals, hosted by Laval, beginning March 16.
It is the second year for a revised format with just the top four teams advancing to the conference tournament. Moncton was slated to host, but was ineligible after finishing fifth at 5-15. Memorial was next up in the rotation for the right to stage the event.
Dalhousie swept Memorial 4-0 during the regular season, including three straight in Halifax in early February. The Sea-Hawks only managed to pick up two sets in the losses.
"We believe it will be an exciting and hard-fought championship," said Scott. "There are four good teams that are tough. We know going into Memorial, and playing them in their gym and in front of their crowd, will be a big challenge."
His message to his team will be to keep calm.
"In this (playoff) format, it's always exciting for fans, but we will look to treat as another game and stay in the moment. We've done a good job all year and will try to continue with that."
Memorial, without a conference title since 2000, were 3-9 in the second semester, the only three victories coming against UNB. They were winless against the other three teams in the tournament.
However, the Sea-Hawks have only lost twice at home over the past three seasons.
There is no favourite in the other semifinal. The Huskies and Axewomen have been trading shots all season, splitting their four matches.
"This season has been one of growth and maturing as the majority of our core roster have entered into their third year," said Huskies head coach Darren Russell. "Our rookies this season have given us the opportunity to really add depth and dimension and allowed for adaptability in our matches.
"We will have a tough match-up against Acadia in the semis. This year it's been back and forth between our teams all season and I think it's going to come down to a handful of points that can swing the match. Keys for us will have to be our serving and receiving game. It should be an exciting match, as both sides have some big offensive threats."
Saint Mary's, winner of three straight matches entering the playoffs, last won a league championship in 2012. Acadia, out of the post-season in 2017, is bidding for a first title banner.
The Axewomen had won six in a row before the Tigers stopped them 3-1 to end the regular season. They were 9-2 in the regular season after Christmas, but eight of the wins came in the comfort of their own gym.
"Our team has progressively gotten better as the season has unfolded," said Acadia head coach Michelle Wood. "We've increased in almost every statistical category which tells me we're ready to peak for playoffs.
"Our program has so much depth, it has truly been a joy to coach. Every athlete brings something forward that betters our team and brings a level of compete that has prepared us to face our tough AUS competitors."
She looks forward to the challenge the Huskies bring in the tournament opener.
"They are a good program and our last three meetings have gone to five sets. We know that 100 per cent of our results will have to do with us doing our own job. I have complete confidence in our team to stay the course and trust our ability to get the job done."