Reporter: Ryan Verrydt
The Georgian Grizzlies swept the Conestoga Condors 25-22, 25-18 and 25-15 in the first match of the OCAA women’s provincial championship volleyball on Friday.
Despite a large, loud Condors fan-base in attendance, the team wasn’t able to get past the Adidas Cup champion Grizzlies.
The first set saw the Grizzlies jump out to an early 10-1 lead before Conestoga head coach Mark Gwozdz used his second timeout to settle the team. The Condors would battle back to force a Grizzlies timeout with the score at 16-14 but couldn’t complete the comeback as the Grizzlies took the set 25-22.
In the second set, the Grizzlies again jumped out to an early 7-4 lead and again, the Condors battled back to tie it 16-16. Led by outside hitter Natalie Buck, the Grizzlies powered through and won the set 25-18.
The Grizzlies completed the sweep, opening up the third set with a commanding 10-2 lead. They never looked back as the Condors wouldn’t get within five points and the Grizzlies advanced with a 25-15 win.
Grizzlies head coach Brad Graham stressed his teams focus on staying relaxed and focused. “I thought we were a little bit more relaxed today than yesterday and that just allowed us to be faster and do what we know they can do,” he said after the game.
The Grizzlies now move on to the bronze medal semi-final Saturday at 11 a.m. when they take on the loser of Trent vs. Humber.
