The Trent Men’s Volleyball team fell to the Fleming Knights 3 sets to none in preseason action on Wednesday October 2nd. This was the Excalibur’s first of four exhibition games they will play before they start their season on October 24th in Oshawa.
Fleming swept the three set match. The first set went to the Knights 25-19. At one point in the second set Trent had a 6 point lead, but the Knights managed to joust their way back in and squeak out a narrow victory, 25-22. From that point on it was all Fleming as they dominated the final set 25-16.
The game marks the first time the Excalibur have played this year and despite the loss things are looking up for the season. “We weren’t worried about winning, we were working on our systems” says Trent’s head coach Tony Clarke, coaching the Men’s team for the first time. “We made a couple unforced errors we shouldn’t have had, but all in all I see an improvement.”
Andrew Kretz, a second year player on the Trent team echoed the same message as his coach. “It’s a good start, its preseason so we were just working out the kinks.”
Heading into the season the Men Excalibur are optimistic of their prospects, “Last year we didn’t progress, this year we already have an efficient offense” said Kretz and the progress is already noticeable to the coach as well. “They’re really responding well in practice” said Clarke.
The Men’s Volleyball team plays a 18 game regular season with 9 of those games being at home in Trent’s Athletic Complex giving students and fans a chance to cheer on the team. Two dates on the calendar that those interested in the team should circle are October 26th, which is the Excalibur’s home opener it will take place at 3pm.
The other date is the night before Halloween, October 30th Fleming will be coming back to Trent for a rematch. “It’s the battle of Peterborough” said Coach Clarke of the rivalry between Fleming and Trent. “Hopefully we get a lot of people out for that game” said Kretz. If the preseason game was any indication, the match on October 30th will be an intense battle between the two teams hoping to take bragging rights over Peterborough. That game will start at 8pm.