The battle of Peterborough was brought before the courts Wednesday night, the volleyball courts that is. Both Men’s and Women’s teams faced off against Fleming with varying results.
First, the Women Excalibur, one of the top teams in the OCAA East took on the Women Knights and pulled off a neat and tidy win, three sets straights. Early on the game was dominated by strong net by Trent’s ladies and the first two sets went 25-11, 25-13. In the third and eventually final set Fleming came alive and battled to a 25-22 loss.
Excalibur Head Coach Peter Carter was happy with the win, “It’s always nice to beat the cross town rival.” Carter continued on to cite the depth of his team as key to victory. “The bench came and did a great tonight.”
With the win the Women sit at first place in the OCAA East division with a record of 3-0. The good start they are having has Coach Carter optimistic, “There will be a few team battling for the top spot and that’s where we want to be. We do think we have a good shot being the top team.”
On the Men’s side, the Excalibur didn’t fare as well. They battled the ball and their own nerves early on falling in the first set 25-14. The second and third sets were much more competitive as Trent found their way, but dropped both sets by a score of 25-21.
Both players and coaches weren’t happy about losing, but had lots of positives to bring away from the loss.
“We are a young team trying to find ourselves and get experience. We had them [Fleming] on their butts a bit there too,” said Christian Zimmer a third year Environmental Science major.
“I’m very optimistic,” coach Mike Hubicki started, “it’s not all about the results, it’s about the process. We are learning new systems, new plays, and even new Volleyball skills.”
Of the 10 players on the team, remarkably 5 are rookies to the team, but that is also a challenge. “Half our team has a new city, new school, new friends and Volleyball is only a small part [of their adjustment]” said Hubicki and then he reiterated “I’m very optimistic.”
Next time you catch the Volleyball teams at home is Nov. 23 when both team take on both Algonquin College teams in a double header with action starting at 1pm.