Posted: Jan 20, 2012
During John Sheehan's time with the University of New Brunswick men's volleyball program, the Varsity Reds were forced to play the role of David in defeating the perennial Atlantic University Sport Goliath, the Dalhousie Tigers.
Now, there's a new Goliath in town. The Laval Rouge et Or have been tormenting the Varsity Reds in interlockong tournament play between Atlantic and Quebec Conference play for four years, winning their last 11 meetings.
The last UNB team to defeat Laval had a young Sheehan on its roster as a rookie. The Reds outlasted Laval on their home court in a five-set thriller that needed extra points in the final set. The date was Jan. 19, 2007. This weekend Sheehan, now in his fifth and final year of eligibility, will get his last shot at revenge against the Rouge et Or at the Richard J. Currie Center, and he thinks this is their time.
'In my first year, we beat Laval and I think this team is as good as that team, if not better,' Sheehan said.
'We can do it.' It's a tall order for the V-Reds, though. In two previous interlocking tournaments this season, the nation's fourth-ranked team, who are undefeated this season, dropped UNB 3-0 and 3-1.
'They don't make a lot of errors, and I still don't think we've played our best game against Laval,' he said.
'If we're going to beat them, we're going to step it up to that level and play with them and play better than them, really.' Upping their intensity has been a point of concern for head coach Dan McMorran. Sheehan echoed his coach.
'That seems to be what we're lacking at times, and I know that if we play an intense three games this weekend, we have a good chance of going 3-0,' he said. 'If we don't, we have a good chance of going 0-3.' The 6-foot-8 middle from New Maryland said raising their level is imperative for all three games this weekend, despite going 4-0 in interlocking action against opponents other than Laval, An all-around effort is needed, he said.
Sheehan's warning might have to be realized this weekend, as the Reds have been hit with the injury bug of late. Second-year outside hitter Marc White was rested last weekend against Memorial to ensure he's ready for the tournament, while fourth-year outside hitter Matt Sweet will be questionable for Friday's match. Both players were having difficulty jumping.
Logan Keoghan, a thirdyear middle, and rookie hitter Justin Corey picked up some of the slack, but Sheehan said the team expects Sweet and White back on the court this weekend.
'I have a feeling (Sweet) will definitely get some minutes this weekend, but I'm sure we'll see how he's feeling and probably play like that,' he said.
The V-Reds (7-3) will host the other two AUS clubs, Dalhousie (6-4) and Memorial (1-9), and the RSEQ (Network of Quebec Student Sports) squads, Laval (11-0), Sherbrooke (4-6) and Montreal (2-9).
Action gets underway at 6 p.m. on Friday with Laval meeting Dalhousie at the Currie Center and Montreal playing Memorial in the Lady Beaverbrook Gym. UNB and Sherbrooke square off on the Currie Center court at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, the Reds meet Montreal at 1 p.m. at the Currie Center and then Laval at 8 p.m.