On March 7, the St. Thomas University Tommies concluded the winter sports season.
Despite not achieving each team’s expectations of winning a banner, their hard work and dedication were demonstrated throughout the season.
Each team showcased a deep commitment to their teammates and coaches. Whether facing early setbacks or pushing through playoff pressure.
Women’s hockey, AUS women’s longest game
The STU women’s hockey team closed out the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) season third in the standings, sweeping Saint Mary’s in the quarterfinals and just falling short of the final after a five-game battle against the St. Francis Xavier University X-Women.
Related: STU women’s hockey makes AUS history despite playoff semifinal exit
In game two of the semifinals, STU pushed STFX to a record-breaking five-overtime loss, the longest game in AUS women’s hockey history.
“That was crazy … It was unfortunate the outcome, but I was really proud of all the girls who were showing up every day, tired, especially after playing five overtimes,” said Team Captain Ekaterina Pelowich. “We still showed up to the rink. We were in a do-or-die game.”
Despite the outcome, the team’s performance showed depth and character.
Another season-defining moment was the team’s resilience and support when Pelowich left mid-season to represent Team Canada at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Games in Italy, bringing home a silver medal.
Related: ‘It’s been a lifelong dream’: STU’s hockey captain’s Team Canada journey
“This team is my family,” she said. “Being surrounded by a team that’s so supportive and even having them support me throughout my journey of FISU really reflects the type of people that Coach Murphy has brought to this team.”
In her absence, other players stepped up – including rookie Megan Kirkpatrick, who later tallied five points in six playoff games.
As Pelowich prepares for her final year, she’s keeping her eyes on the AUS title.
“We’re going all the way. I want to have that AUS championship hat – that white hat. I’m going to wear that next year.”
Tommies basketball play National host
On the women’s team, this year was a story of steady growth and redemption.
After a semifinal loss in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) playoffs, the team finished strong by defeating Mount Saint Vincent University at nationals, taking seventh place in the country and ending the year on a high.
“We knew we deserved to win that game,” said the second-year guard Paige LeBlanc. “Everyone contributed … that’s one thing I love about our team, everyone works so hard every time they step on the floor.”
The women’s Tommies hosted this year’s Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association nationals. The tournament brought the best teams in the country to campus.
Related: Home court, big stage: STU women host basketball nationals, places seventh
The men’s side finished the season with a 8-10 record. The Tommies bowed out in the first round of ACAA playoffs against Crandall University.
“I’d give it like a six,” said second-year wing River Lanz when asked to rank the season. “Last year we were first … this year we had a losing record. So in comparison, it’s definitely a lot worse.”
But he stayed focused on the bigger picture.
“You kind of have to take it one year at a time,” said Lanz. “If I were to be super caught up in basketball, then I know it could hurt my studies and kind of just day-to-day life.”
Head Coach John Hickey acknowledged the inconsistency that plagued his team throughout the year.
“There were games when we played fantastic … and others where we couldn’t quite put four quarters together,” said Hickey.
“We definitely grew as a team. We certainly cared about each other. We worked hard for each other,” said Hickey. “That was important.”
Both teams are set to return core players next year, with expectations and motivation running high.
“I have high expectations for our team,” said LeBlanc. “We’re all working hard in the off-season. We know what we can accomplish.”
STU volleyball’s season of redemption
It was a season of growth for both the STU men’s and women’s volleyball teams.
After battling their way to the ACAA playoffs, both groups entered with nine-game win streaks and eyes set on the banner.
The STU women’s volleyball team lost in the semifinals against the University of New Brunswick Saint John, while the men’s team lost in the finals against the Universitè Sainte-Anne.
Related: Tommies’ volleyball teams finish just short in ACAA playoffs
For the men’s team, leadership and team chemistry were central. Captain Raphael Fiset credits their bond and early-season challenges for uniting the group.
“For me, I would say [the highlight was] the beginning of the season, when we got to travel to British Columbia and Alberta to play some out-of-conference teams,” said Fiset. “The environment there, the play level, the trip with the guys – it was awesome.”
The women’s team, under new head coach Kim Colpitts, turned an eighth-place start into a semifinal run and one of the most impressive turnarounds in the league.
“We just started doing more. We got better,” said Kathleen Boyle, who was named ACAA Player of the Year. “At the start, we didn’t expect much because we were younger than any team going into it. But we made it as far as we could – and we did it, which was good.”
Boyle said the work isn’t over, as she expects the team to put work in during the summer to maintain their stability.
