(London, Ontario) – On Saturday afternoon, the #5 CCAA ranked Fanshawe Women's Volleyball team (19-0, 1st in West) secured their spot at the OCAA Provincial Championship with a 3-0 win over the Georgian Grizzlies (6-13, 7th in East) at the Glenn Johnston Athletic Centre.
Back-to-back kills from outside hitters Meghan Morelli (London, ON) and Janelle Albert (Brampton, ON) got the Falcons on the board in set one. A block from middle Danielle Grasman (Komoka, ON) extended Fanshawe's lead to 14-8 midway through the set. The home squad stepped up their defense, with great digs from libero Lauren Reycraft (Kitchener, ON). The Falcons soared to a 25-14 first set victory.
The Grizzlies came out strong in the second set, going up 6-2 on Fanshawe. The red and white then stepped up their game and went on an 11-0 run behind great serving and offense from Grasman. A nice set from Katie Stewart (Gananoque, ON) resulted in a Kim Hardy (Melbourne, ON) kill to give the Falcons a 25-11 set two win.
Fanshawe used their momentum from the previous frame to take a 4-0 lead in the third set. Georgian fought back to stay within reach of the Falcons. A kill from Mattea Deleary (Ridgetown, ON) assisted by Ashley Rafferty (Peace River, AB) kept the Birds on top. Despite Georgian's best efforts, the Falcons went on to win the match 3-0 on a 25-12 final set win. Fanshawe's 'big three' of Morelli, Grasman and Albert were excellent again, recording 17, 13 and 12 points respectively.
The Falcons now advance to the OCAA Provincial Championship at Cambrian College in Sudbury from February 22-24. They will play the winner of the cross-over match between Centennial (11-7, 4th in East) and Mohawk (13-5, 4th in West) in an OCAA quarter-final at 3pm on Friday, February 22.