Volleyball opening weekend highlighted by Michael Donovan’s brilliance
Technically, outside hitter Michael Donovan of the Dalhousie University Tigers men’s volleyball team played in the 2019-2020 season. It was just for one set during one match. He missed the rest to injury. But on opening weekend this season, hosting Maritime rivals the University of New Brunswick Reds, he declared his arrival on the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) volleyball scene.
Passing the ball
Anika Almero and Brett Boldon aim to be the best volleyball setters they can be. The teammates for the Dalhousie University Tigers women’s volleyball team are competing for the vacant starting setter position in preparation for regular games potentially resuming next season.
Determination, courage, and much more
Victoria Haworth learned she was named a winner of the Dalhousie University Tigers’ President’s Award a couple of days before it was announced on April 3, 2020. Her volleyball coach Rick Scott and the Tigers were aware Victoria’s father was in poor health. They told Victoria of her win early so she could share the news with her father.
Playing the dead zone
In an interview with the Gazette, Scott shared two of the deadest places his teams have played at. The circumstances behind these games were unusual and fascinating, but the Gazette confirms the volleyball court built on top of a graveyard was not one of them.
Questions linger for men’s volleyball team
The Tigers men’s volleyball team, along with the University of New Brunswick (UNB) Varsity Reds, play in Réseau du sport étudiant du Quebec (RSEQ), Quebec’s U Sports conference. In a regular year, each team would take a number of trips to the other region to play two or three weekend games against their host. Now COVID-19 and the Atlantic bubble are in the way.
Representing Canada away from the court
Dalhousie University Tigers volleyballers Michael Donovan and Talia Vydykhan are no strangers to provincial and Team Canada volleyball camps. Yet while attending Volleyball Canada’s virtual camps this year, the two are in less familiar waters.
From shutdown to action
Aug. 17. This date marked the beginning of phase three in Dalhousie University’s reopening plan for its athletic facilities. The Dalplex’s pool, basketball court and volleyball court reopened. This is in addition to facilities like the fitness hall, which reopened on Aug. 4.
COVID-19 cancels volleyball nationals
After winning their eighth consecutive AUS championship, the Dalhousie Tigers women’s volleyball team lost their chance to compete in U Sports nationals.
One last ride
Volleyball players Courtney Baker and Victoria Haworth played one last regular season home game on Feb. 15. The two fifth-years have been integral to the team’s success.
Midseason recap
Here’s where your Dalhousie Tigers volleyball, basketball, hockey and swimming teams are standing after the winter break.