Tommies sweep season openers against Université Sainte-Anne

Tommie Raph Fiset goes at the ball during the game against the Dragons. (Credit: Fran Harris/STU Athletics)

Both the St. Thomas University (STU) men’s and women’s volleyball teams opened their seasons with authority on Saturday, Oct. 25, sweeping the Université Sainte-Anne Dragons 3–0 at the Lady Beaverbrook Gym.

The matches marked an ideal start for the Tommies, who combined disciplined play with home-court energy to begin their season on a high note.

The Tommies women’s team controlled every set, using steady passing and strong communication to secure a straight-sets victory.

Head Coach Kim Colpitts said the win reflected months of hard work.

“It’s exciting. The first game of the season always comes with a little bit of nerves,” Colpitts said. “But it was a great win for us and a great performance with contributions from a lot of players.”

With 10 first-year athletes on the roster, every player saw the court in the opener.

Colpitts said the balance between rookies and veterans has already strengthened the team dynamic.

“It’s always exciting when you see first-year athletes have success,” she said. “Our returning players provide leadership and stability on the court and that makes a huge difference.”

Colpitts credited her players’ off-season preparation for the strong start.

“They came into the season stronger, fitter and ready to train from day one,” she said. “Their preparation over the summer really set the tone.”

First-year middle, Tilly Sprague-Hay, said the team’s attitude helped maintain momentum throughout the match.

“It was awesome just to come out there after working so hard all pre-season,” said Sprague-Hay. “Even on the bench, everyone stayed up and supported each other. The crowd was amazing.”

Colpitts said the team will keep its focus on refining details before facing Mount Saint Vincent University the next day.

“We’ve been working on managing the game on our side of the court,” she said. “At this point, it’s about fine-tuning what we already do well.”

The men’s squad followed with its own straight-sets win. Head Coach Henri Mallet praised the group’s poise and ball control.

“It’s always easier when you start at home,” said Mallet. “They had some injuries and guys out of position, but we didn’t let our guard down. We took care of the ball and got better as the game went on. It was a good way to start the season.”

Mallet said the Tommies’ serving pressure and defensive consistency were decisive.

“We didn’t panic when they went on runs,” he said. “Our ball control was solid and we made them work for every point.”

With several fourth and fifth-year players in the lineup, Mallet said experience played a key role.

“We looked like a seasoned team,” he said. “That’s not always the case early in the year. If we can clean up our timing and blocking, we’ll be pretty dangerous for the rest of the season.”

The weekend sweep gave the Tommies an early confidence boost and a reminder that consistency may be their biggest advantage this season.