After pulling off a fantastic comeback against the Queen’s Gaels to secure the OUA Quigley Cup Championship, the Badgers’ women’s volleyball team’s remarkable season came to an abrupt and unfortunate end in the U SPORTS playoffs.

The Badgers first faced off on March 17 against the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds, the third-ranked team in the Canada West conference with an 18-6 record. UBC had a strong defensive season, limiting opponents to a .130 hitting percentage, 9.63 kills per set and 9.17 assists per set, each good for second in the Canada West.

The Thunderbirds’ defensive presence did not arrive in time for Friday’s Quarter Final match.

Brock’s offense exploded to start set one, grabbing seven of the first nine points and 12 of the first 16, largely off the strength of kills Grace Pyatt and Lauren Ainsworth, all assisted by Sara Rohr. Though UBC would offer a little resistance towards the end, the Badgers took the first set by a comfortable 25-18.

In the second set, Brock nudged along a modest lead early, leading 10-7, a four-point scoring-streak put ahead 11-10, and in the driver’s seat the rest of the way.

Now holding a modest lead of its own, UBC gradually stretched out their advantage, winning set two 25-19.

Set three, Brock came out with a lead right off the bat again, but this time a much more significant one. This time as well, they also managed to stretch their lead out, leading first by 11-5, then 16-9, and eventually, seeming to have the set in their control, 20-14, prompting a UBC time-out.

UBC’s Head Coach Doug Reimer must have had one Kurt Russel “Miracle” level speech, because from there on out, the set was all UBC.

Out of the timeout, UBC cut Brock’s lead to 21-18, prompting Brock to take a timeout of their own. The Badgers fended off the Thunderbirds’ advance, putting themselves in a winning position, up 24-21.

However, UBC had already squarely secured the momentum and scored six of the final seven points to steal set three, 27-25.

In set four, with a place in the semi finals on the line, the Badgers started out hot going up 8-4. UBC quickly cut that lead down to 8-7 and went back and forth with the Badgers for a while but eventually stormed out to 18-12.

The Thunderbirds stretched their lead out to 20-13 before the Badgers mounted a small comeback of their own, bringing the set to a 20-17 margin. Unfortunately, the Badgers’ effort was just too little, too late as UBC held on to win 25-20.

Despite the loss, Ainsworth had a strong game across the stat sheet, leading the game with 22 kills, while adding two aces, four blocks and five digs. Sara Rohr’s setting also shone, with a game-leading 50 assists.

The following evening, the Badgers had a chance to pick up a final win in a consolation match against the Mount Royal University Cougars. The second-place team in the Canada West during the regular season, Mount Royal were also upset in the quarter final round, losing to sixth-place Manitoba.

Brock, regrettably, was unable to close their season on a positive note as they would have liked.

Though close, the Cougars took the first two sets, 25-21 and 27-25. Turning the course in sets three and four, the Badgers were able to even the score and force playoff sets with much more convincing 25-16 and 25-19 scores.

Set four was, however, as far as the Badgers’ comeback effort would go. Going up by a quick 4-2 score, Mount Royal nursed their lead to go up 10-8, before scoring five of the last six points, winning the consolation match 15-9.

Sadie Dick, Sara Rohr and Aleiah Torres each led the game with 19 kills, 57 assists and 14 digs, respectively.

Some small consolation, in light of their season ending, is that the majority of the team will have another shot at the national title; all of the squad will be returning next season, with the exceptions of middles Christina Jovetic and Grace Pyatt.

While both are key players whose absences will undoubtedly be felt, local product Pyatt’s could be the most impactful, who just came off a phenomenal season, being named an OUA first team all-star and a U SPORTS second team all Canadian.    

Over the past 18 months, the Canadian men’s soccer team has surprised many.

From remaining undefeated in World Cup qualifying for a whole calendar year to finishing top of the table in the Concacaf region, Canada is turning many heads at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

With their first appearance at the World Cup since 1986, this Canadian team is slowly turning the country into a soccer nation. Canada has an elite talent in the game to thank for their success thus far at the international level.

Alphonso Davies is a 22-year-old born in a refugee camp in Buduburam, Ghana. In 2005, Davies and his family emigrated to Canada, where he learned the game of soccer at a free after-school program at the age of five.

He began his professional career at the age of 16, becoming the third youngest player in MLS history to sign a contract. After a breakout year in his 2018 season with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Davies was bought on the transfer market by the German superteam, Bayern Munich. Although he did not play much in his first season with Bayern, he would start to make an impact on the squad in the 2019-2020 season, winning the Bundesliga title and the UEFA Champions League.

Davies is now an athletic left back and winger who frustrates opponents with his athleticism, speed and stamina, allowing him to chase down balls to regain possessions, as well as go on runs to support in the counter-attacking offence. His powerful shot and his ability to change pace are also a weapon on the offensive side of the pitch.

Though Davies is the best all-around talent on the Canadian squad, their striker, Jonathan David is another young talent that their group F opponents have to look out for. David currently plays for LOSC Lille in Frances’ Ligue 1, but many English Premier League clubs have been linked to David such as Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.

His ability to attack spaces and find holes in defences backlines makes him lethal on the counterattack. David is also impressive in the quick decisions he makes on and off the ball. His reflexes and decision-making inside the box lead to many dangerous chances, as he ranks in the 83rd percentile for non-penalty goals per 90.

Sticking to the theme of young Canadian talent, Tajon Buchanan is a 23-year-old forward who plays in the Belgian first division for Brugge KV. His dribbling ability is arguably the best on the team as he constantly beats defenders one-on-one leading to counterattacks and great offensive possessions for Canada. His work rate on both offence and defence makes him a valuable piece in Canada’s formation as he often comes back to support the three defenders, strengthening the back line.

Though Buchanan does struggle with finishing. If he were to improve that aspect of his game, he too may be a highly sought-after target for top European leagues.

Shifting to the oldest player on the team, midfielder Atiba Hutchinson, is just a few months away from his 40th birthday, though he is still a valuable piece to this Canadian men’s national team. Hutchinson’s poise on the ball and ability to keep attacking players to the outside is key in Canada’s formation, as he plays in a defensive midfielder role. His figure matched with his sound positioning makes it easy for Hutchinson to intercept passes and move the ball back upfield on the counterattack.

Canada has many players to look out for at the 2022 World Cup and beyond. Although Canada may have been eliminated from advancing to the round of 16 – with a 4-1 loss to Croatia on Nov. 27 – the steps these players have taken over the last 18 months has shown the world that they are not a team that should be taken lightly.

Canada’s final match of the 2022 World Cup is on Dec. 1 against Morocco at 10 am and can be watched on TSN or CTV.