The next step in Queen’s OUA championship aspirations came in the form of the Western Mustangs, who they would take on at home this past Friday, Feb. 28 in front of a sold-out crowd in the ARC.
Defeating Western’s Mustangs 3-2, the team’s victory was primarily fueled by Zig Licis, Sci ’25, who scored 23 kills. Licis was named First-Team All-Star for his contributions on the court for the Gaels.
Despite their opponents finishing the season as the sixth seed, with a record of 10-10, the Mustangs seemed to find their form at the perfect time. Defeating the third seeded, University of Toronto Varsity Blues in straight sets to reach the Gaels.
Queen’s would have their handful in the first set, with the teams trading runs back and forth throughout the set. The Mustangs found an early four-point lead, but an ace and three consecutive kills from Licis would put the Gaels back up. Deadlocked at 23-23, two kills from Reed Venning, ArtSci ’26 stole the first set for Queen’s.
In the second set, Western would find early runs that would put them up 22-13, despite a valiant comeback to bring the game within two, it wouldn’t quite be enough to overcome the deficit, losing the set 22-25. It wasn’t all bad as their momentum carried into the third set that was all Gaels, winning 25-15.
The Mustangs would bring a fight in the fourth, trading points again to an even 25-25 before the pendulum would swing the other way, a kill and an attacking error ending the set for Western 25-27.
Coming down to the final set, a roaring home crowd willed the Gaels to an early three-point lead. A margin that they would hold to the end, with a final kill from graduating senior Dax Tompkins, ArtSci ’25, winning the five-set thriller to advance to the OUA finals, and U SPORTS national championship.
The victory was an exclamation mark for a team that was characterized by unforced errors, and mistakes during key moments earlier in the regular season.
“The amazing thing about this group is that they’ve trusted that process and they’ve stuck with what we believe is our system, and as a result, they’re getting the results when it matters most,” Head Coach Gabriel deGroot said in an interview with The Journal.
Part of that trust came in the form of Licis, who was fed the ball when points mattered the most. His 23 kills and 6 aces ed for over a third of the team’s total points. Winning Queen’s and OUA athlete of the week honours for his performance.
“When things got tight, he got the ball and did great things with it, an error on the last point of the fourth set, which pushed it to five. But you know, besides that, he was nearly perfect,” deGroot said.
Having such a key role in the Gaels’ success, it’s natural for any player to feel the pressure of the moment. However, for Licis, with six years of experience under his belt, it’s something that he’s learned to live with when it matters the most.
“If you don’t feel pressure, you’re not ready. Pressure is a privilege, so it’s something that you have to just try to embrace, and self-regulate your emotions,” Licis said.
As the final game this season hosted in Kingston, it also served as the final home game for all graduating players, including Licis, who took some time to reflect on his career at the ARC.
“It’s been an incredible six years, lots of good memories, and being part of this team, its family, and then the crowds you get here, it’s just incredible. I don’t know, little speechless,” Licis said.
Despite the emotions of the day, the Gaels now need to focus on their final’s matchup against the number one ranked Windsor Lancers.
“I think that they’re well balanced, but similar to us. I think they play an aggressive style of play, so I think our two styles complement each other, and as a result, I think it’ll be a great match,” deGroot said.
“The only thing I wish I had behind us was this home crowd, but to steal a championship on their court will be a lot of fun,” deGroot said.
You can watch Men’s Volleyball hit the Lancers’ court on March 7 at 7 p.m. on OUA.tv.
Tags
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be ed, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to [email protected].