Fanshawe Women’s Volleyball Drops Match to the Bruins

(London, Ontario) – On Saturday afternoon, the Fanshawe Women's Volleyball team (0-4) fell to the Sheridan Bruins (1-2) at the Glenn Johnson Centre. The Bruins won three sets to Fanshawe's two.

In the first set, the Falcons and Bruins would start off exchanging points. First-year Olivia Burberry (Dorchester, ON) fooled the visitors after performing a setter dump to gain a point for Fanshawe. Later in the set, Sammie Gibson (London, ON) smashed a kill, assisted by Burberry, and the match stood at 11-8 in Fanshawe's favour. To put the Birds up one, Hannah Onyema (St. Thomas, ON) scored on a beautiful tip. On the following play, right-side Charlee Akehurst (Kitchener, ON) converted on a lethal hit. The Birds took set one 25-23.

In the second set, the Falcons began in a dominating fashion. Second-year Grace McLean (Dorchester, ON) recorded a kill to put Fanshawe up 8-3 early. Later in the set, McLean would roll shot a back row set to score again for the Birds. The Bruins began to close in on Fanshawe's lead and the score stood at 18-17 in favour of the Falcons. With the set tied up at 21 a piece, Akehurst would record an ace to give the Birds the advantage, but the visitors rallied back and won set two 26-24.

The Falcons started the third set off with a 3-1 lead. Smart defensive reads would result in dominating play from the Falcons. Onyema scored a huge point for the Birds after blocking a Bruins hit. Up 13-6, Ari Peake (London, ON) showed great strength on a left-side kill, set from Burberry. The Falcons continued to control set three, and finished on top, taking the set 25-15.

Fanshawe came out strong in set four. Points from Burberry, Gibson, McLean, and Onyema, contributed to the Falcons' 6-2 start. The Bruins closed in on Fanshawe's lead later in the set and things were tied up at 23. The Bruins would force the fifth set after winning set four 25-23.

A huge block by Onyema would put the Birds up 2-1 to start the final set. The set went and back and forth between the teams. Fanshawe scored three consecutive points off a McLean kill and two Onyema blocks. With the match on the line, the Bruins would score and take the final set 18-16.

Fanshawe's next match will be at home against the St. Clair Saints (3-0) on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.