Thunderwolves finish sixth in final tournament of 2019

The Lakehead Thunderwolves women’s volleyball team suited up for the Wesmen Classic in Winnipeg this past weekend to play their final matches of 2019 and finished sixth with a record of 2-3.

“We had a great time in Winnipeg. They put on a great tournament and we were happy to be a part of it,” said head coach Craig Barclay. 

“It was a great weekend too get back into the swing of things and gear up for the second half of our season.” 

The Thunderwolves started the tournament with a 3-0 loss to the host team on Saturday as the Wesmen took each set 25-18, 25-10, and 25-18, followed by a 3-0 loss to the Saint Mary’s Huskies, who won 25-23, 25-18, and 25-18.

With two matches under their belts after over a month off, the Thunderwolves had a far more successful day two of the tournament. 

Despite dropping the first set 9-25  and the third set 13-25, the Thunderwolves defeated the Guelph Gryphons 3-2 in their first match on Sunday, winning the second set 25-23, the fourth set 25-20 and the final set 15-11.

In another five-set thriller, the Thunderwolves also defeated the Brandon Bobcats 3-2 on Sunday. The Bobcats took the second set 25-23 and the fourth set 25-17, but Lakehead came out on top in the other three 25-19, 25-20 and 15-12.

The Thunderwolves went on to battle the Guelph Gryphons for the second time on the last day of the tournament, ultimately falling 3-0 and finishing the tournament in sixth place.

“We basically improved every match we played. We played some great competition and we were able to pull out two five-set victories,” said Barclay. 

“Being in the five-set matches is an invaluable experience for our young group.”

The Thunderwolves will be back in OUA action on January 10th and 11th on the road as they head to Hamilton, ON to take on the McMaster Marauders.