TEAM ALBERTA MEDIA RELEASES
FOUR SILVER MEDALS FOR ALBERTA AS COMPETITION WRAPS UP
Tennis, Soccer, and Volleyball take home silver medals; Softball to play for gold
(Winnipeg, MB) It was the second last day of competition for the 2017 Canada Games, with all sports but softball featuring their gold medal matches.
Alberta was well represented into the medal matches, playing in the gold medal in women’s tennis, men’s soccer, both men’s and women’s volleyball.
The women’s softball team won their opening semi-final of the day against Saskatchewan, advancing to the second semi-final. Facing Ontario, Alberta came out roaring with a convincing victory, qualifying them to contest for the gold medal.
On the tennis courts for the gold in Ladies Singles, Ashleigh Jacobs fell short and took home the silver medal.
Alberta currently has 95 medals (26-36-33), in addition to a guaranteed medal tomorrow in softball.
SOCCER EARNS SILVER IN HEARTBREAKING LOSS
At the Ralph Cantafino Soccer Complex, Alberta faced off against Ontario in the ultimate match of the Canada Games tournament.
Televised on TSN for the third time in the tournament, the first half offered multiple goal scoring opportunities for Alberta. The game was scoreless at halftime.
The game remained tied at 0-0 until the very last minute of play when Ontario scored to take the gold medal.
Alberta won the silver medal in men’s soccer, improving its fifth place finish at the 2013 Canada Games in Sherbrooke.
DOUBLE SILVER FOR ALBERTA IN VOLLEYBALL
The Investors Group Athletic Centre came alive with the competition of both indoor volleyball finals. To make it interesting, the host province of Manitoba faced off against Alberta in the ultimate match.
In front of a sold-out crowd of 3500, the Alberta ladies took the lead early in the game. Energized by the very loud home crowd, Manitoba bounced back and offered some stiff competition and forced extra points. It took a few exchanges of points to see Alberta winning the first set 30-28 in a dramatic fashion.
The second set proved to be as exciting as the first. Manitoba started with a few points lead and led through the halfway mark of the set. With Alberta tying the set at 14, Manitoba added three straight points to retake the lead. Manitoba rolled through the end and took the second 25-22 to tie the game at one set apiece.
The third set was dominated by the Manitobans. They took an early lead and continually resisted the pressure put on by Alberta. Set three went to Manitoba 25-20.
With the game momentum and the crowd behind them, Manitoba answered an early attack from Alberta, scoring 15 of the last points to take the set 25-15 and run away with the 3-1 victory as the crowd erupted in passionate cheers.
Right after the women left the court, it was time for the men to compete for the gold medal, against Ontario, and Alberta showed passion, determination, resilience and pure power in the ultimate match.
Ontario came out of the blocks roaring and held a continuous lead throughout the first set. Despite solid attempts to come back and stay in the game, Ontario took the set 25-23.
In the following set, Ontario kept the momentum from the opening game taking a significant lead. However, Alberta came back with a burst of energy and tied the game. Ontario was able to answer Alberta’s surge and ran away with the set 25-22.
Faced with the possibility of a loss in three straight sets, Alberta started the third set with passion and vigor. Alberta took an early lead, which they maintained until Ontario evened the score at 15. Alberta turned on the engines and took the set 25-18 to force a fourth set.
Alberta dominated the action in the fourth set and led from start to finish. Re-energized from the previous set, the boys took the set 25-19 to even the game at two sets apiece.
The fifth set was highlighted by a constant exchange of points, with each team scoring points. The crowd was ecstatic at each point from either team. With the first team reaching 15, every point was celebrated. Alberta took a small 2-pt lead at 12-10, quickly closed by Ontario to even the score at 12.
After more intense and passionate point exchanges, the score was even at 14 to force extra points to decide the gold medallist. Ultimately, Ontario was the one to score two straight points for the gold medal, Alberta taking the silver.
ALBERTA SOFTBALL TEAM TO PLAY FOR GOLD MEDAL ON SUNDAY
The women’s softball team began their medal round today at the John Blumberg Softball Complex, with third-seeded Alberta facing against Saskatchewan in the semi-final.
Alberta started their offense early in the match, taking a 5-1 lead after the third inning of play. In the second half of the game, Alberta maintained their lead and ended up taking the victory 6-2.
Advancing to the evening match, Alberta faced the very strong squad from Ontario who finished second of the round robin and lost their semi-final against British Columbia.
Similar to the morning’s match, Alberta’s offense roared right from the beginning. In the top of the third inning, Alberta was up 4-0. Alberta conceded a run in the fourth inning but answered with three runs in the fifth to take a 7-1 lead.
The defense kicked in and protected the lead through to the end. Final score: Alberta 7, Ontario 1.
Alberta will go on to face British Columbia, still undefeated in the competition, in the gold medal match, the only sports competition left on the 2017 Canada Summer Games calendar.
ASHLEIGH JACOBS EARNS SILVER MEDAL IN LADIES SINGLES TENNIS
Ashleigh Jacobs of Calgary earned the silver medal in the Ladies Singles tennis competition.
Jacobs played a fierce match against her rival Rhea Verma of Ontario. She dropped a tightly contested first set 7-5. Maintaining her composure, Jacobs attempted a come back in the second set. However, her opponent was too strong on the day, taking the gold medal in two straight sets (7-5, 6-3) while Jacobs received the silver medal.
Both Alberta teams in the Doubles tournament lost their respective bronze medal games.
TALMAN AND TOPPINGS TOP ALBERTA CYCLISTS AT CRITERIUM
The Red River Exhibition Park hosted the fan-favorite criterium races. Anna Talman finished sixth in the women’s race, while Connor Toppings finished fifth in the men’s race where Quebec swept the podium.