The Badgers’ men’s volleyball team beat the Waterloo Warriors 3-0 for their 14th win of the season to remain in third place in the OUA standings.
Devin Cooney led all players with 13 kills in the match, as KJ Robinson and Sauli Lianga contributed with eight and six kills, respectively.
Cooney and Robinson began their kill tally early, smashing a combined five kills on the opening eight points, beginning the set on a 7-1 run.
However, Waterloo did manage to claw back cutting the Brock lead to one, but the Badgers regained control when back-to-back Adam Shapcott aces forced set point leading to the 25-16 opening set victory.
In the second set, the Warriors tightened up defensively, limiting the number of miscues that were their kryptonite in the first set. Waterloo held the lead for much of the second set, with their largest lead spanning four points, 14-10.
However, on the ensuing possession, Robinson recorded one of his two kills in the set, drastically shifting momentum into Brock’s favour as the Badgers ended up going on a 4-0 and 9-1 run to take a 19-15 lead.
But the Warriors showed resilience by fighting back making it a one-point set, 23-22, before the Badgers regained control.
Grant Reddon recorded one of his game-high 30 assists as Cooney perfected the kill forcing set point. On set point, the Warriors committed their fifth attacking error of the set, gifting the Badgers the 25-22 win as they were nearing their 14th victory of the season.
In keeping the momentum they had at the end of set two, the Badgers got a quick 3-0 lead, courtesy of another Waterloo attacking error – their first of eight in the set – and a pair of kills by Liam Strong.
But, as was the theme of the match, the Warriors responded with three consecutive points of their own before the Badgers reconquered the lead with the two subsequent points.
The Warriors once again responded though jumping to a 7-6 lead before the teams traded points resulting in a 14-14 tie midway through the set – which was once again when the pendulum swung in the Badgers’ favour.
The Badgers jumped to the 21-18 and 24-23 lead, pushing the Warriors to the brink of defeat.
On match point, Waterloo registered their 18th attacking error of the match, handing Brock the 25-23 set three win as the Badgers sweep the Warriors at home.
Next up the Badgers (14-5) will face the Waterloo Warriors (10-9) in a rematch on Feb. 16th in the season finale. For more information on the Brock Badgers’ men’s volleyball team, head to gobadgers.ca.
