By: Dwayne Tingley
Veteran coach Rick Scott doesn't hesitate when he's asked about the key to the success of this season's Dalhousie Tigers in the AUS women's volleyball conference.
"No question, it's our depth" said Scott. "We've got a lot of very good players who challenge themselves to get better every day.
"Through the course of a season, there are illnesses and there are injuries or sometimes you have to replace players who aren't having a very good day," he added. "Each time, we've had players step up and play very well. Our depth is the main reason we finished in first place."
The Tigers, who have won seven straight AUS titles, enter the conference playoffs as the top seed with a regular season record of 19-1.
The AUS postseason has moved from a tournament format to playoff series.
The two AUS semi-final series get underway Thursday night as Dalhousie hosts the UNB Reds (12-8) and Saint Mary's (13-7) hosts the Acadia Axewomen (12-8) in best-of-three weekend series.
Game 2 in both series is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. If a Game 3 is necessary in either series, Dalhousie will host theirs Saturday at 7 p.m., while Saint Mary's will host theirs Saturday at 4 p.m.
"It's been a good season because we see all of the teams have made improvements and there are no easy games," said Scott, who has been coaching the Tigers for 12 seasons.
"We've had a lot of very good teams over the years and this one ranks right up there with the best we've ever had," he continued. "We had to be at our best and we had to use our depth to get this far.
"We lost to Acadia a week ago and it was a good wake-up call for us. You learn from setbacks and our team learned that we have to be our best if we are going to win this conference again."
The Tigers, who finished fourth at last year's U SPORTS national championship, feature a roster stacked with accomplished veterans and some impressive newcomers.
"When I talk about depth, I mean positional depth and depth in terms of experience," said Scott. "Our veterans have played like veterans and our rookies have also stepped up and proven they can play at this level. It's a big step to go from high school to university volleyball, but our players have proven they can handle it."
Outside hitter Julie Moore led the Tigers with 254 digs (the most in the conference) and 232 kills (second most in the conference). Acadia's Lucy Glen-Carter topped the conference with 247 kills and was second in digs with 199.
UNB Reds coach Christine Biggs said her team has steadily improved throughout the season thanks to contributions from her entire roster. She's looking forward to the new best-of-three playoff format.
"It plays to our strengths—depth, fitness and adaptability," the Reds coach explained. "We are not relying on the performance of any one individual. We're working exceptionally as a unit and playing hard for one another.
The growing parity in the conference means each team has developed into true contenders to represent our conference (at nationals)."
Saint Mary's head coach Darren Russell said the Huskies had to persevere through several injuries at various points in the season. He was proud of the way his team stuck together through the difficult parts of the schedule.
"The league is so tight that anyone can beat anyone, depending on who shows up," Russell said. "We want to go into the semifinals focused on what needs to get done so we can have a chance to compete in the finals.
"I think in order for us to succeed, we are going to need to serve tough every chance we get and out-play our opponent on defence," he said.
Axewomen head coach Michelle Wood said her team has improved steadily this season as individuals and collectively as a group.
"Physically, we're a very athletic group, but the thing that impresses me the most is just how much heart and determination they play with," said Wood, who has been at the helm of the Axewomen for eight years and is also the director of Acadia's sports camps.
"Our playoff mentality is to take each set at a time—even each point—and not look past the moment," she added. "Managing each moment will be important as well as celebrating it."
The U SPORTS women's volleyball championships are scheduled for March 13-15 at the University of Calgary.
The lone AUS berth will be awarded to the conference champion.