Tommies claim ACAA Men’s Volleyball Championship on home court

The Tommies men's volleyball team with their championship banner at the the Lady Beaverbrook Gym. (Submitted: STU Athletics)

The St. Thomas University (STU) Tommies didn’t drop a set in the finals.

On March 1, the Tommies swept the Université Sainte-Anne Dragons 3-0 at Lady Beaverbrook Gymnasium, claiming the Atlantic Collegiate Athletics Association (ACAA) Men’s Volleyball Championship in front of a packed home crowd.

The first set was competitive. The two sides were tied 8-8 before STU pulled ahead 16-12. The Dragons fought back, cutting it to 20-19, but the Tommies closed it out 25-22.

The second set wasn’t as close. STU carved out a 14-7 lead and didn’t look back, taking it 25-18.

However, by the third set, it was a statement. 

The Tommies opened 6-1, led 13-8 at the midway point and finished it 25-16.

Mason Brewster was named “Player of the Game,” finishing with 11 kills on a .588 hitting percentage and three service aces. Kalan Noonan, a third-year outside hitter, added 16 kills, hitting .625 on the night.

For Brewster, a fourth-year middle in his final season, the moment hit differently.

“Getting that last swing when we won ACAA, I’ll never forget that,” he said.

He credited the team’s growth off the court as the reason it all came together.

“At the start of the year, there were some guys [who] weren’t very close. But I feel like we really came together and that off-the-court stuff did a big thing on the court, especially.”

Brody Thorogood, first-year setter, said the energy inside Lady Beaverbrook was unlike anything else this season.

“We were hosting it at home. We knew the crowd was going to be massive. The energy there was unbelievable.”

According to Thorogood, the Tommies entered the tournament as the team everyone wanted to knock off.

“There was a bit of a target on our heads. People want to beat us. We just kept our heads high and pushed through.”

First-year left side Sebby Villeneuve said the season went beyond what he expected coming in. 

“I couldn’t have really gone into the season expecting much better than how we finished.”

He said he’s not worried about next year either, even with several starters graduating.

“We may be losing quite a few starters, but I like our chances. We’re going to be a strong and gritty group.”

Brewster is one of those departing seniors. His message to the team was to keep building. 

“I’ve had an amazing experience these last four years. Just keep building that culture and keep that winning mentality going.”

The Tommies also competed at Nationals following the ACAA title, a fitting end to a season that belonged to them from the start.