Andrea Price came home from New Brunswick a national women’s volleyball champion, after the Mount Royal Cougars beat out Vancouver Island University to win gold in five sets last weekend.
“We always tried to be the hardest working team and it really paid off,” said Price. “We’re really driven, hard working, and determined. We spend a ton of time together so we’re kind of like a family as well.”
In an ultra-tight first set, the Cougars found themselves on the wrong end of the stick as the VIU Mariners claimed the first set 25-23.
Known for their tenacity, including an 18-16 fifth-set win in Saturday’s semi, the Cougars rebounded in the second, finding a groove of their own, as ACAC Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year Price took control of the set for the Cougars – claiming the second frame 25-20.
Whatever was working for the Cougars in the second certainly didn’t carry over to the third set, as MRU found themselves nearly helpless, surrendering points at an alarming rate, while making uncharacteristic errors in dropping the third 25-16.
Looking down and out after playing a sub-par third set, the Cougars looked to storm back in the fourth set.
Down 24-20 in set number four, the Cougars clawed tooth and nail to 24-22 when after highlight reel rally, the Mariners had thought they clinched the championship. After one official ruled the ball out, almost certainly sealing the Cougars' fate, the head referee noticed the other official had in fact ruled that the ball had been tipped.
After a brief officials meeting, the point was awarded to Mount Royal, turning the tide of the fourth set as the Cougars now trailed by one 24-23. Clearly shaken, the Cougars took advantage of their despondent opponents, rattling off the next three points, and the set's final six points, to grab the fourth set 26-24.
“We went through a moment where we lost and won it all in 45 minutes,” said head coach Sandra Lamb.
With the momentum heavily on their side, the Cougars continued to keep their foot on the pedal, as Andrea Price reigned down kills, while the Cougars' defense dug balls at a remarkable rate.
Taking an 8-4 lead into the break of the fifth set, the Cougars would allow only three more points as they would cruise to a 15-11 fifth-set win and the national championship.
Mount Royal had never won a CCAA Championship since the school was incepted.
“Obviously being the first, we’re really proud and it took a full team effort to come out with that victory,” said Lamb. “There’s nothing that brings a team together more than what we went through. It’s something they’ll remember forever and tie them for the rest of their lives.”
After having time on the court taking pictures after the game, the girls had their moment together, sharing tears and words.
“Andrea had probably her best weekend of the year – no better time than that. She was our rock and our go-to and completely deserved winning MVP,” said Lamb.
“Andrea’s got two years left of eligibility, and we’ll sit down with a meeting to put out a game plan for her and see what she wants to do. There are a lot of options out there, and we want her to stay on the right track both on and off the court,” said Lamb.
