Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
Coming off their first-ever win in the inaugural OVAA volleyball season—a road victory in Hamilton over the Mohawk Mountaineers—the Sault College Cougars returned home riding momentum as they hosted the Sheridan Bruins in OCAA Women’s Volleyball action over the January 31st and February 1st weekend in Sault Ste. Marie. The two-match series marked the final regular-season action of the 2025–2026 OCAA campaign, and the Cougars made the most of the opportunity, earning back-to-back victories to close out their inaugural season on a high note.
Opening the weekend on the Sault College campus on Saturday, January 31st, the Cougars came out strong and set the tone early in the match. Sault College edged Sheridan in a tightly contested first set, winning 25–23 to take an early 1–0 lead.
Sheridan responded in the second set, pulling away late to earn a 25–22 victory and even the match at one set apiece. From that point on, however, the Cougars seized control. Sault College dominated the third set with a convincing 25–13 win, showcasing improved consistency and strong defensive play.
With momentum firmly on their side, the Cougars closed out the match in the fourth set, winning 25–16 to secure their second victory of the season in four sets.
Sault College returned to the court on February 1st looking to finish the regular season strong, but Sheridan came out with urgency. The Bruins captured the opening set 25–19 and followed up with another strong performance in the second set, winning 25–15 to take a 2–0 lead in the match.
Facing elimination, the Cougars responded with determination. Sault College found its rhythm in the third set, earning a 25–15 victory to get back into the match. The momentum continued in the fourth set as the Cougars battled to a 25–20 win, forcing a decisive fifth set.
In the final frame, Sault College delivered its best performance of the weekend. The Cougars controlled play from start to finish, winning the fifth set 15–9 to complete the comeback and earn their third win of the season, closing out the regular season with back-to-back victories.
In their inaugural OCAA women’s volleyball season, the Sault College Cougars finished with a 3–13 record, narrowly missing out on a postseason berth by just three points. Despite falling short of the playoffs, the Cougars showed steady growth throughout the season and ended the year with momentum, highlighted by three wins down the stretch and a strong finish against Sheridan.
With a foundation now firmly in place, the Cougars’ inaugural season sets the stage for continued development and future success in OCAA women’s volleyball.
