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Game Information
City
Location
Thunder Bay
LU Fieldhouse
Game Score
Thunderwolves
Windsor Lancers
Windsor Lancers
3 (25, 25, 28)
0 (20, 23, 26)
0 (20, 23, 26)
Game Review
Masters and Casey Shine in Career Finales
Hugh Mullally | Volleyball (W)
It was a sweetheart of an ending for Vanesa Masters and Jennifer Casey on Valentine’s Day in the Thunderdome, as the two 5th year seniors completed their Lakehead careers with a 3-0 win over the Windsor Lancers (25-20, 25-23, 28-26).
It was some of the most inspired volleyball played in the Thunderdome this season. Lakehead passers were much improved since a day prior, and gave their setter, Vanessa Masters, a lot more to work with. In turn, Masters fed her hitters with spot-on accuracy, most notably Jen Casey at critical points in the match.
“Today our back row followed through completely and was all over Windsor’s attack. They were anticipating, not reacting to Windsor’s attack,” said coach Chris Green post game.
In the first set Lakehead looked re-focussed after a lacklustre effort on Saturday. Coming down the stretch the ‘Wolves clung to a 20-18 lead, and thanks to Jen Casey crushing a few kills late on the left side, Lakehead took the first set.
Their confidence was clear as Lakehead went toe-to-toe with the Lancers through the second set, battling down to a 23-23 tie. A missed serve by the Lancers put them on the brink, and Lakehead finished off the set with a tough serve from Leah Mousseau.
Mousseau was the game’s leading scorer, making 17 kills on 39 swings with 13 digs.
The final set was a nail-biter to say the least, going into extra points after Lakehead was on the brink, trailing 23-24. The ‘Wolves fought back one more time, forcing extra points and getting a critical kill from Jen Casey that went off the hands of Windsor’s middle blocker and out of bounds. After reviewing the play with the linesman, the referee awarded the point to Lakehead, giving them a 26-25 lead. To their credit the Lancers fought tooth and nail to the bitter end, tying it again at 26 before the home side scored the final two points of the match.
Vanessa Masters finished the game with 37 assists and 11 digs, while Jen Casey made 11 kills on 44 attempts with 12 digs.
“They deserve it, they’ve played great their five years here and they deserve this today,” said coach Chris Green of his graduating seniors.
Green added, “The greatest thing today was the team responding from last night. But it is a bittersweet ending to the season. Today showed how we’re capable of playing, that was the first game this term that we played at the same level that we’ve practiced at. Everyone engaged and in sync with one another.”
Jennifer Casey (photo left) with her family, and Vanessa Masters (photo right) with her family, accepting their framed jerseys.
