September 22nd, 2010: Halifax, Nova Scotia
The second portion, and much longer portion of the Eastern Canada Tour began with a lengthy travel day. The team departed Kingston for Ottawa from which they flew to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Upon arrival in Halifax it was quickly back into vans and then a 4 hour drive to Fredericton, New Brunswick, home of the UNB Varsity Reds who would be the next Spartan opponent. It was a late arrival so a quick sleep was required for the boys before our first team practice in nearly two weeks.
Upon arrival at the UNB campus we were struck by the beauty of the campus. UNB had banners hanging from the light poles celebrating 225 years of operation and the campus was just what you would expect from a long standing university. All the buildings were red brick with white trim. There were huge trees everywhere that were in full fall bloom with red, orange and yellow leaves complimenting the beautiful architecture. It was something straight out of Dead Poet’s Society, all we needed was Robin Williams and O Captain my Captain to make the scene complete.
They gym was also something out of a movie. It was an old building, like they all were but its charm was special. Walking in was like stepping into Hoosiers with the dark wood floor, old style seats and bleachers. Visions of Jimmy Chipwood shooting hoops in the corner and Ollie granny tossing a free throw were easily conjured. It was a fun place to practice and it became clear that the campus was excited to have us there. Many students and staff were coming in and out of practice to see the westerners and take a look at the team UNB had brought in to open their exhibition schedule with.
The match environment was even better. They had a great crowd in and the noise level was picking up in warm up that suggested it was going to be a very exciting night. Just before the game a number of shirtless, red paint covered students settled in the front row and began a ruckus creating a classic university sport experience for the volleyball match. The game didn’t disappoint either. It was a grueling 5 set thriller with the teams trading big kills, blocks and digs giving all who came to watch a great display of preseason volleyball. The Spartans cam out victorious after 2.5 hours and another great five set character win.
After the match it was a quick bite at McDonalds, not exactly high performance but its McDonalds monopoly so it was a treat for the guys for winning. Just like when they were kids and after the little league game or soccer game and dads would take their kids to McD’s for ice cream so it was for the large boys on the Spartan volleyball team.
Day two ad the same flow, morning practice in Hickory then nap, study hall and a pregame meal. Then back to the gym for game two of the two game set with UNB Varsity Reds. Game two saw the Reds control the first two sets winning both by 4 points. Game three was the Spartans and they won 25-14 in dominant fashion. Game 4 was a slugfest down to the wire with the home team UNB winning the set and match. The crowd went nuts as the underdog host upset the #3 ranked Spartans. While the match didn’t go the way of the Spartan, it was a great match for the Spartan babies to gather some more much needed match experience.
After the match it was back to the hotel for another quick sleep and an early morning. The Spartans departed Fredericton at 6:30am for Nova Scotia by way of a ferry. A quick drive to Saint John and a three hour ferry ride across the Bay of Fundy landing in Digby. The ferry was a great time of relaxation; much better than the 7 hour van ride option. ON the ferry the boys were able to get some much-needed homework done as the stress of a week of missed classes was alleviated somewhat. Those who did not have homework slept on the benches making a ring of Spartans laying head to foot ringing the outskirts of the ferry cabin.
Upon arrival in Digby the Spartans found a little seafood diner to get some lunch. It mush have been a sight for the locals to see 15 huge men walk into a diner that most of them had to duck their heads in order to avoid concussing them selves on the low hanging beams. It was lobster and fish and chips for the boys and home made pie, a feast for a king, well more like a sailor but either way it was a great meal. Then it was back into the vans and a short drive to West King’s District High School that was hosting the first of three matches with perennial eastern power Dalhousie University.
The team arrived to the high school a little earlier than needed so we had some time to kill. We saw a sign for a zoo so the curiosity of a zoo in what seemed like the middle of nowhere was too much to pass up. We found the zoo expecting some farm animals but instead found a fully functioning zoo with exotic animals. They had the Guinness record biggest Lion in captivity in the world there but he had passed away a few months before so we did not get to see him but saw his grave. A little odd to see a lion’s greave but not much odder than seeing a zoo in the middle of farm country Nova Scotia. The steep price of $3 entry to the zoo was a little too much for 30 minutes so the staff was gracious enough to let the guys into the reptile area for free. There they had all manners of lizards, turtles and snakes. The highlight was a couple 15’ boa constrictors, one of which was hanging from the roof. Ricky and Lucy were their names and Ricky decided to put on a show for the guys has he dropped from the ceiling to the floor eliciting a school girl scream from the entire team that had gathered to admire the massive snakes. A bunch of large athletes screaming was too much for the baby girl in the room as she began to cry and the boys giggled like equally young children.
Outside we were able to look at some of the other animals that they had gathered at this peculiar zoo. They had monkeys, donkeys, horses, and wild turkeys running everywhere. A bunch of the guys had fun trying to catch the turkeys and it was a good warm up for the upcoming match. Then it was back to the gym where the host committee had prepared a pregame meal of lasagna and Caesar salad for both teams. It was a fun time to catch up with friends on the other team as many of the Spartans had played club, provincial team or national team with some members of the Dalhousie Tigers team. After dinner there was some dead time and for those who know some of this year’s Spartan team, idle time usually leads to shenanigans.
In Digby a couple guys had found a fireworks store and the pyromaniacs purchased some exploding fun. While we were killing time in the gym we realized the pyros had gone missing so in looking for them someone went outside and heard fireworks coming from the bushes. The team was gathered and the search commenced for the fun that was being had. A bunch of explosions, both of bottle rockets and laughter kept the fellas occupied as they waited to take the court for warm up.
Then it was work time as the team suited up for the match. The Dalhousie Tigers have been to the CIS National Tournament a record 33 straight seasons and coach Dan Ota always produces a well-prepared and talented team. Being the first match of the three game set and with both teams having key players nursing injuries it was a great match for the younger players on both teams to compete. This was Dal’s first exhibition match of the season so they were a little sloppy but so too were the tired Spartans. The teams traded sets with Dal taking 1 & 3 and TWU taking 2 & 4. Finally after almost two hours of error filled volleyball a great volleyball game broke out in the fifth. The deciding set was a great display of two of the most talented teams in the country doing battle. It was a 1 point game the whole way with Tiger three time All Canadian Sander “Ranchdip” Ratsep ripping a match winning ace taking the set 16-14 and the match 3-2. It was a great game for the Spartan youngsters with three freshmen two third years, a second yearn and Ben Ball being the lone “starter” from last year’s team on the court. Another great test of character for the young Spartans that will pay dividends later in their career.
After the match the host committee had a light post game snack prepared and then it was back into the vans and an hour and a half drive to the city of Halifax and the final destination of the Eastern Canada Tour. The team checked into the hotel and hit the hay for some much needed rest after another really long day.
Games 2 & 3 and the final two matches of the lengthy Eastern Canada Tour are to be played at Dalhousie in the Dalplex, home of the Tigers. Both teams look to put their best lineups on the floor in what should be the best matches of the tour and the final preparation matches before both teams begin conference play the following weekend.
Great things are about to happen,
Go Spartans!!!
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