2012 Tigers put on a show for 1982 alumni

Present Tigers and their 1982 national championship brethren unite on the court, Feb 10. Photo by Rob Grandy

In front of a packed house Feb. 10, Dalhousie welcomed back members of the 1982 national championship women’s volleyball team. The current Tigers squad, in turn, looked poised to start planning their own championship reunion with a convincing straight sets victory over the visiting UNB Varsity Reds.

That victory was the sixth in a row for the home team, keeping them locked in the number two spot in the league standings. Game scores were 25 – 17, 25 – 11 and 25 – 16.

As for the Reds, the game looked to be one of the final nails in their coffin. The defending AUS champions have just one win on the season, which predictably has left them out of the playoff picture this year.

The Tigers, however, showed no remorse for their beleaguered opponents. Led by player of the game Maggie Li and the rookie’s seven kills, the team contested every point, never being down by more than three points in any set.

While that may seem like a rout to the layperson, Dal head coach Rick Scott has other opinions. He was quick to commend his team’s serving, but he also called their play “sloppy” and emphasized they need to play better for the playoffs.

After the game, there was a ceremony to recognize the CIS-winning 1982 women’s team, which included inaugural inductees into the women’s volleyball honour society Karin Maessen and current Dal Director, Varsity Athletics Karen Moore.

Maessen afterward called the ceremony “incredible” and went on to describe the feelings she remembers winning the championship. “It was electric. It was thrilling to play in front of such a crowd,” she said. “To win at home was just phenomenal.”

A Tiger supporter can only hope this year’s team is able to earn that same feeling for themselves.