GEE-GEES FALL TO MONTREAL IN CONSOLATION FINAL AT CIS WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

March 6, 2007

CALGARY (CIS) - The fourth-seeded University of Montreal Carabins captured the consolation final of the 2007 Canadian Interuniversity Sport women's volleyball championship with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-20) over the No. 7 University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.

The win was important for Montreal, which lost a tough opening match to the host University of Calgary after being ranked in the upper echelons of the CIS Top Ten all year.

"After the tough loss against Calgary it was important to finish as best we could and that we did. I am very proud of the attitude of the girls in the last two days. We found a way to stay motivated," said Montreal head coach Olivier Trudel.

First-team All-Canadian Laetitia Tchoualack paced Montreal with 11 kills, 16 digs and three service aces as the Carabins had a kill percentage of 29% compared to 9% Ottawa. Myriam Aboumerhi earned player-of-the-game honours following a 10-kill effort.

Second-team CIS all-star Christine Lamey led Ottawa with 12 kills and was named the Gee-Gees player of the match.

"Montreal had sustained pressure and our service receive let us down," said Ottawa coach Lionel Woods. "We had three tough matches here and we have our entire group returning next year."

Ottawa led 8-6 and 16-15 at the technical breaks. Montreal took eight of the next ten points going ahead 23-18 forcing the Gee-Gees to burn their final timeout.

Ottawa cut the margin to 23-21 before the team's exchanged points making the score 24-22. Montreal won the set at the net 25-22 with a misplay by the Gee-Gees.

After holding a narrow 8-7 margin at the initial break in the second set the Carabins stretched their margin to 16-10.

Ottawa fought back cutting the gap to 20-16 but that was as close as they get before Montreal closed out the set winning 25-17.

The third frame was once again close especially early. The Gee-Gees led 8-7 but Montreal was ahead 16-14 at the end of the second break.

The Carabins moved to a 20-16 margin and the clubs virtually exchanged points with Montreal prevailing 25-20 to win the set and the match.

STATS LEADERS

Montréal
Points: Laetitia Tchoualack (15)
Kills: Laetitia Tchoualack (11)
Blocks: Mélody Benhamou (5)
Digs: Laetitia Tchoualack (16)
Assists: Guila Sarrapuchiello (35)

Player of the Game: Myriam Aboumerhi

Ottawa
Points: Christine Lamey (14)
Kills: Christine Lamey (12)
Blocks: Kaely Whilans, Rachel Runnels (1)
Digs: Karine Gagnon (9)
Assists: Laura Simons (24)

Player of the Game: Christine Lamey