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| Sander Ratsep led the AUS in scoring (4.62 points per game) and kills (3.84 per game). (Nick Pearce Photo) |
Expectations add pressure. The Tigers are the Atlantic University Sports (AUS) champions. They’re also the second-highest ranked team in Canada. As the ±«Óătv men’s volleyball team head off to Kamloops, B.C. to compete for a national title, head coach Dan Ota has one word on his mind for the team: focus.
“We’re focused on preparing for the next game,” says Ota. “We’re practicing the same way that we have all year. The most important thing to do is focus on the tournament. We can’t let the pressure affect us.”
The Tigers have played flawlessly all year with a 16-2 season record. The team won their 23rd consecutive AUS title in straight-set wins against the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds. The team has been one of the top contenders for the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) championship. “This is the time to peak in our performance,” says Mr. Ota. “We’ve been playing well but now we need the time to play our best.”Â
The Tigers are anchored by their veteran starters. Fourth-year player Sander Ratsep won his second consecutive Most Valuable Player award. He expects the Tigers underdog status will keep the team motivated. “I’m excited and nervous, which is not a bad thing,” says Mr. Ratsep. “You need nerves to help you prepare for a big match. You can harness that energy to play better. I love it.”
The Tigers are ranked third in the CIS championships and will face the sixth-ranked team, the University of Calgary Dinos in the quarterfinals. The Tigers defeated the Dinos earlier this year at the Thompson Rivers Invitational. If the Tigers move on to the semi-finals, they will face a tough match-up against either the University of Alberta Golden Bears or the University of Thompson Rivers Wolf Pack. The Golden Bears are the two-time defending champions and the Wolf Pack won a bronze medal in 2008.
“We don’t get respect from the western teams,” says Mr. Ratsep. “This is the highest ranking that we’ve had in a long time. We earned our spot at nationals. We’re going to the competition prepared and ready to compete.”Â
The major obstacle for the Tigers is their rivals the Laval University Rouge et Or, the only undefeated team in Canada. The Tigers were narrowly defeated by the Rouge et Or in a tight five set match. The Rouge et Or finished with a silver medal at last year’s championships. “Our confidence has gone up since the last time we played,” he says. “We know we can beat them.”
The last time the Tigers played in a CIS final was in 1997 against the Golden Bears, where the Tigers won the silver medal. If the Tigers win the CIS title, it would be the first for ±«Óătv University. “It would be surreal,” says Mr. Ratsep. “It would mean so much to our alumni and friends. I think I would cry.”