The Tommies women’s hockey team entered the holiday break sitting in a pretty good spot nationally.
St. Thomas University (12-1-1) moved up to second place in Canada in the U Sports Top 10 rankings for Tuesday, Nov. 29.
“We are a very small university, and not many people hear about us, so it’s definitely putting us on the map.”
The Tommies sat four first-place votes behind the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (14-1) last week and four points ahead of their Atlantic University Sport rivals, the Saint Mary’s University Huskies (10-1-2).
STU spent the pre-season and the first week of the season in fifth place before improving to fourth, where the Tommies stayed until Nov. 1.
The Tommies then held the third spot in Canada for most of November before moving to second to end the first half.
The Tommies have also remained on top of the AUS conference for most of the 2016-17 campaign so far, but the Huskies sit three points behind them after the first 14 games.
Other nationally recognized teams include the Guelph University Gryphons in fourth, the Université de Montréal Carabins in fifth and the McGill University Martlets in sixth.
The University of Manitoba Bisons were seventh last week, while the Nipissing University Lakers were in eighth place, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies were ninth and the University of Ottawa Gee Gees held the 10th spot.
Apperson said the Tommies understand the national ranks only reflect the team on paper.
“There is [a lot of] work that has to be put in for that to mean anything at the end of the day,” she said.
“We are proud of our accomplishments and excited to get the recognition, for sure.”
Men’s volleyball, women’s hoops also nationally ranked
Other Tommies squads who have been getting national attention for their play lately are the men’s volleyball and women’s basketball teams.
As of Nov. 29, the Tommies had been 10th in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association men’s volleyball standings for the fifth straight week after opening the season in the 11th spot.
The women’s basketball team, on the other hand, started in 12th on Nov. 1 before joining their male volleyball counterparts in 10th place for five weeks in a row.
Morris, Gallant recognized
Shannon Morris of track and field and Dylan Gallant of men’s basketball were named the Tommies Coors Light Athletes of the Week for Nov. 28.
A third-year thrower from Saint John, N.B., Morris placed first in the senior weight throw at STU’s first track meet of the season Saturday, Nov. 26, at base Gagetown.
Morris’ distance of 11.50 metres was also good for a new STU record.
As well, Morris finished second in the senior shot put after throwing 9.26 metres.
A fifth-year guard from Summerside, P.E.I., Gallant notched 24 points and shot at a rate of 50 per cent from past the arc in the Tommies’ 84-62 home win over the University of Kings College Blue Devils on Sunday, Nov. 27.
As well, Gallant recorded six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
That performance came on the heels of being sidelined due to an injury for the Nov. 19 contest against the Holland College Hurricanes.
Blinn named Athlete of the Month
Stephane Blinn of the STU men’s volleyball team was named the Tommies Coastal Graphics Athlete of the Month for November.
The fourth-year outside hitter from Nasonworth, N.B., has paced the attack for the powerhouse Tommies (4-1) in every match so far in the 2016-17 Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association campaign.
As of Friday, Dec. 2, Blinn had 47 kills in four matches, good for first in the ACAA in both kills per set and kills percentage.
As of last week, Blinn had also recorded 25 digs, three service aces and two blocks in that span.
He added another 18 kills, five digs and a block in the Tommies’ 3-0 road loss to the Holland College Hurricanes on Saturday, Dec. 3.
