Second semi-final of the night, has the OUA Champion Ryerson Rams vs the Canada West Champion Calgary Dinos. Both teams with their respective fan bases sitting in their sections, a loud game is underway at the PEPS Gymnasium (Quebec City, QC).
Set 1: 25-23 Ryerson
Set 2: 26-24 Ryerson
Set 3: 25-20 Calgary
Set 4: 25-14 Ryerson
A back and forth match to start, the teams trading points, and leads, as no one is able to gain any traction. With the biggest lead of the night going into the technical night being three points, the Rams were up 16-13. The rest of the set saw the same as the beginning, leads changing hands, and a back and forth battle. The Ryerson Rams ultimately came out on top, holding out for a 25-23 win, going up 1-0. Lauren Veltman (Ryerson), Cailan Wark (Ryerson), and Kate Pexman (Calgary), all tied for game high with 5 kills.
โSecond verse, same as the first.โ The lead switching hands all set, as once again, no team able to run away with it. At the second technical, Ryerson lead by a score of 16-15. The remainder of the set saw teams exchanging points, leading to a 21-19 Calgary lead, and a Ryerson timeout. A Cailan wark service ace brought the game to 22-21 Rams, leading to Calgary to call their last timeout as well. Both teams timeouts proved to be useful, as they each came out scoring the next point. Ryerson ended up taking it 26-24 winning by two points, just like in the first set, putting the Dinos one set away from heading to the bronze medal game. Veltman leading the Rams with 8 kills, Pexman leading the Dinos with 9.
The third set was just like the first two, where no team was ever able to amount more than a three point lead, that is until the final few points. The Dinos would force their way to a 25-20 win, prolonging the game, and avoiding the sweep. The final blow of the set being delivered by setter Leah Shevkenek with a solo block to give the Dinos their 25th point. Veltman and Pexman leading the way still, ten and thirteen respectively.
The Rams leading the way during the first half of this set, getting as high as a seven point lead on the way to a 16-9 technical timeout. Standing on the shoulders of Theanna Vernon and her net presence, the Rams pushed their lead to 19-9. The final kill dropping, gives the Rams a 25-14 win. Putting them for the first time ever, into the National Gold Medal game.
The Rams were led by:
- Cailan Wark: 11 kills, 5 service aces
- Theanna Vernon: 10 kills, 10 total blocks
- Lauren Veltman: 12 kills, 19 digs
The Dinos were led by:
- Kate Pexman: 17 kills, 11 digs
The Ryerson Rams will now move on to face the Alberta Pandas in the 2018 National Gold Medal game, tomorrow afternoon at 5pm EDT.
The Calgary Dinos will now move on to face the UBC Thunderbirds in the 2018 National Bronze Medal game, in a Canada West Championship rematch, tomorrow afternoon at 2pm EDT.
