Cégep de Sept-Îles Volleyball Team and Badminton Duo Punch Tickets to Provincial Championships
Table of Contents
The Cégep de Sept-Îles is sending its men’s volleyball team and a dynamic badminton duo to their respective provincial championships, marking a notable achievement for the college’s athletic program. For the volleyball team, it’s a journey to Beauce for the provincial showdown on april 5th and 6th, while the badminton players gear up for Drummondville.
Head coach Jean-François Lachance’s volleyball squad secured their spot after a hard-fought performance at the Northeast Conference Championship in drummondville. The team’s journey was a rollercoaster, showcasing both their potential and resilience.
they started strong, defeating the host team and Center-du-québec conference champions in straight sets (25-20, 25-22). However, they stumbled against Garneau (25-20, 18-25, 12-15) before rallying to win against victoriaville (23-25, 26-24, 15-9), securing their place in the bronze final. In a rematch, Drummondville edged out the Travelers (25-17, 23-25, 14-16).
The guys came out strongly by applying the match plan to perfection.Beating Drummondville in their gymnasium right away after the seasoning banner gave energy for the day,
said Coach Lachance, highlighting the impact of their initial victory. He also praised the standout performances of Félix Beaulieu and Emmanuel hounsell, who experienced an exceptional tournament for us.
This qualification marks a historic moment for Cégep de sept-Îles, as it’s their first appearance at the provincial championship in men’s volleyball in fifteen years. This drought is similar to the Chicago Cubs’ infamous World Series drought before their 2016 victory, highlighting the significance of this achievement for the program and its supporters.
We have something to be proud of our guys. They have accomplished something exceptional. We have been working with guys for three years, it’s all an achievement that this edition has just made. The guys did it for them, for our CEGEP, but also for all the old and future travelers who believe that it was not possible to surrender [au provincial] By being in Sept-Îles,
Lachance emphasized, underscoring the team’s dedication and the impact of their success on the college community.
This team is hungry for achievements and we look forward to seeing the end of our story which will be played the weekend of april 5 in Beauce,
he concluded, expressing optimism for the upcoming provincial championship.
Badminton Duo Strikes Bronze, Secures Provincial Berth
The college badminton season will continue for Alexis Joseph and Emma Turbide, who clinched a bronze medal at the conference championship in Sherbrooke. their performance guarantees them a spot at the provincial CSRAQ championship in Drummondville from April 4th to 6th.
The Sept-Îles pair navigated the group phase with a record of two wins and one loss, earning them a place in the playoffs. This is reminiscent of a team making the NFL playoffs as a wild card, earning their spot through grit and determination.
In the semi-finals,Joseph and Turbide faced a tough challenge against the top-seeded duo from Shawinigan,losing (8-21,8-21). Though, the Cégep de Sept-Îles athletes rebounded impressively, securing the bronze medal with a dominant victory (21-11, 21-16) over representatives from Cégep de Sherbrooke.
In men’s singles, Olivier Dion, after an undefeated run in the pool stage, faced a player from Cégep de Sherbrooke in the quarter-finals.
Unfortunately, Olivier had difficulty managing stress and pressure. He delivered a match below his abilities. He lost the match 16-21, 12-21,
explained coach Alex Couture.
Dion recovered to win his consolation matches, finishing fifth overall. He remains an alternate for the provincial championship should any injury occur.
It was a Crève-coeur tournament for Olivier who aspired to qualify for the provincial. Nevertheless, our mixed double team was able to fight and cause surprise by going to seek third place,
Couture concluded, also acknowledging the contributions of graduating players Olivier Dion and François Larivière.
In men’s basketball,the Cégep de Sept-Îles Travelers suffered a 77-52 defeat against the Gaillards of Cégep de Jonquière in the semi-final of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean collegial series/Côte-Nord.
Spotlight on Star athletes
The college leagues have announced their 2024-2025 star athletes, selected by the coaches. Among the Travelers, the honorees are Anabelle Therrien (women’s volleyball), Étienne cormier (men’s volleyball), Samuelle Néron (women’s basketball), and Hubert Marquis (men’s basketball). These athletes are the MVPs of their respective teams, similar to how lebron James is frequently enough seen as the centerpiece for any team he plays on.
Key Takeaways: Performance Highlights
To better understand the nuances of the Cégep de Sept-Îles teams’ journeys, here’s a snapshot of their performances:
| Sport | Event | Result | Key Performers | Notable Achievement/Comment |
|—————-|———————————————|—————————————————|————————————————————|——————————————————————————————|
| Men’s Volleyball | Northeast Conference Championship | Qualified for Provincial Championship | Félix Beaulieu, Emmanuel Hounsell | First provincial appearance in 15 years; Showed resilience after a mid-tournament stumble.|
| Badminton | Conference Championship (Sherbrooke) | Bronze Medalists (Alexis Joseph & Emma Turbide) | Alexis Joseph,Emma Turbide | Qualified for the provincial CSRAQ championship; displayed strong comeback in bronze match.|
| Men’s Singles | Conference Championship (Sherbrooke) | Olivier Dion, 5th Place (Alternate for Provincials) | Olivier dion | Despite early setback, demonstrated ability to rebound and secured alternate position. |
| Men’s Basketball | Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean/Côte-Nord Series Semi-Final | Lost to Cégep de jonquière (77-52) | N/A | – |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When and where will the men’s volleyball team compete in the provincial championships?
A: The Cégep de Sept-Îles men’s volleyball team will compete in the provincial championships in Beauce on April 5th and 6th.
Q: What is the significance of the men’s volleyball team qualifying for provincials?
A: This qualification marks a historic moment for Cégep de Sept-Îles, as it’s their first appearance at the provincial championship in men’s volleyball in fifteen years. This drought underscores the significance of this achievement for the program and its supporters.
Q: Who are the key players to watch for the volleyball team?
A: According to Coach Jean-François Lachance, Félix Beaulieu and Emmanuel Hounsell had exceptional performances during the conference championship and are players to watch.
Q: Where and when will the badminton provincial championships take place?
A: The badminton provincial championships will be held in Drummondville from april 4th to 6th.
Q: How did the badminton duo, Alexis Joseph and Emma Turbide, earn their spot at the provincial championships?
A: Alexis Joseph and Emma Turbide secured a bronze medal at the conference championship in Sherbrooke, which qualified them for the provincial CSRAQ championship.
Q: What were the results of the other Cégep de Sept-Îles teams?
A: The men’s basketball team suffered a defeat against Cégep de Jonquière in the semi-final of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean/Côte-Nord collegiate series.
Q: Who were the Cégep de Sept-Îles star athletes for the 2024-2025 season as selected by the coaches?
A: The honorees are Anabelle Therrien (women’s volleyball), Étienne Cormier (men’s volleyball), Samuelle Néron (women’s basketball), and Hubert Marquis (men’s basketball).
Q: Can you describe the atmosphere surrounding the men’s volleyball team’s success?
A: Coach Lachance emphasized that the entire team and the community are proud of the success the team achieved, having worked hard over the last three years. The moment is a celebration for the college, the players, and the alumni who believed in the possibility of reaching the provincial championship.
