#2 Augustana Vikings Vs. #7 Titans de Limoilou

It was a huge upset. At least as far as the rankings are concerned. 

The first match of the CCAA men’s volleyball championship saw the RSEQ champion Les Titans de Limoilou (Quebec, QC) defeat the ACAC champion Augustana Vikings (Camrose, AB) in straight sets (25-23, 25-18, 25-22).

Despite the Vikings having strong play at the start of every set, Limoilou was able to battle back each time to shock the Alberta champions.

Right-side hitter Chhavanith Ponn was named player of the game for the Titans, while setter Devin Varga was honoured for the Vikings.

Augustana was without arguably their best player Luke Ryan who was injured during warmups. Ryan was an ACAC North All-Conference player and was named most valuable player during the ACAC Championship. The Vikings no doubt missed his presence on the right side.

Les Titans de Limoilou will advance to tomorrow’s 6 p.m. semifinal where they were face the St. Thomas Tommies. The Vikings will play their bronze quarterfinal at 1 p.m. against the Niagara Knights.

#3 Niagara Knights Vs. #6 St. Thomas Tommies

History will be made.

The St. Thomas Tommies are the first team from the ACAA to ever reach the semifinal at the CCAA men’s volleyball championship.

The ACAA champion Tommies (Fredericton, NB) took down the OCAA champion Niagara Knights (Niagara on the Lake, ON) in four sets (20-25, 25-22, 26-24, 25-23).

It was the second upset in as many games in Charlottetown as the lower seeds continue to come out victorious.

Up 24-19 in the 4th set, St. Thomas was given a bit of a scare as the Knights roared all the way back to 24-23 before The Tommies could finally convert a match point and book their ticket to tomorrow’s semifinal.

The Tommies are carrying the pride of Atlantic Canada knowing that a team from the ACAA has never medalled at the CCAA’s men’s volleyball championship before. They almost overcame the quarterfinal hurdle in 2014, losing in five sets to the then OCAA champion Mohawk Mountaineers.

Rookie hitter Cole Jordan was named player of the game for the Knights off a 17 kill effort, while outside hitter Nicolas Levesque got the nod for the Tommies with 17 kills of his own. All-Canadian Marc Blinn was strong contributing 42 assists and 15 digs.

The Niagara Knights who lost the first set of every match en route to win their first ever OCAA title, went against tradition by winning the first set 25-20 this afternoon before St. Thomas took the next three. The Knights can point the finger at their 19 service errors and 27 attacking errors.

Niagara is relegated to the bronze quarterfinal tomorrow at 1 p.m. against the Augustana Vikings. St. Thomas will face Les Titans de Limoilou in the first of two semifinals tomorrow evening at 6 p.m.

*All times AST