(London, Ontario) – At the Glenn Johnston Athletic Centre, the Fanshawe Women's Volleyball team (3-11) was victorious against Conestoga (8-6) on Sunday afternoon.
Taryn Elgersma (London, ON) opened the scoring for the Falcons with a huge kill. Kills by Hannah Onyema (St. Thomas, ON) and Ari Peake (London, ON) would bring Fanshawe's score to five, but the Condors took control of the set. Down 11-6, Fanshawe's Grace McLean (Dorchester, ON) recorded a beautiful block. Unfortunately, the visitors then went on a run to increase their advantage. Trailing seven points, Peake made a strategic move, tipping the ball over Conestoga's blockers to keep the Falcons in the set. Fanshawe then went on a 3-1 run at the end of the set, but it was not enough. The Condors took set one 25-16.
A kill recorded by Peake got the Falcons off to a great start in set two. Putting the Falcons up 3-2 over the visitors, Ally Taylor (Regina, SK) made an outstanding set to McLean who scored for the home team. In the following plays, Abby Keeler (Toronto, ON) and McLean recorded aces for the Falcons. Fanshawe was on a roll. To increase their lead by four, third-year Onyema executed a kill and a block on back-to-back plays. Additionally, Peake, Elgersma, and McLean converted on consecutive kills to force a visitors' timeout. Another Peake smash increased Fanshawe's lead to six. After many great rallies, Keeler took advantage of a Condors' overbump and recorded a kill that hyped up the crowd. The Falcons dominated and won set two by a score of 25-19 which was closed out by a monstrous Onyema block.
To start set three, Elgersma gave the Falcons an early advantage, converting on a Taylor set. Strong swings by Peake and Onyema contributed to Fanshawe's 7-5 lead. To increase the Falcons' score to eight, Onyema recorded her seventh point of the match with an ace. Conestoga then went on a run to take over the lead. Down five, Fanshawe's Keeler ended the visitors' run with a huge spike. Later in the set, Fanshawe found inspiration and went on a run of their own to seize a 19-18 lead. Nearing the end of the set, the Falcons and Condors traded points. A kill by Taylor tied things up at 23 and a Keeler smash secured the 26-24 set three win for the Falcons.
A magnificent back-row kill by Peake began set four and gave the Falcons an early advantage. A block by Onyema increased Fanshawe's score to six over Conestoga's four. Despite Fanshawe's determination, the visitors went on a dominating run. Later on, Peake had the home crowd on their feet after making a spectacular block, but the Falcons fell short and dropped set four 25-16.
The final set began with a Condors 6-0 run. A Keeler ace and an Onyema kill closed in on Conestoga's lead. A Peake kill and block shortened the visitors' advantage by two. The score was tied at 11 after an Elgersma kill and the Falcons took a 13-11 lead off a 6-0 run. The battle between the Birds resulted in multiple lead changes, but Fanshawe held strong and won set five 18-16.
The Falcons will play their final regular home game of the season at Falcons Fest on January 27. Cheer on Fanshawe's volleyball and basketball teams starting at 1:00 p.m. during an action-packed day at the Glenn Johnston Athletic Centre. Free pizza will be included!
