Despite frigid conditions hovering around -5°C outside CEPSUM, the heat was undeniable on the court, where McGill pulled off a stunning upset against Montreal in the first match of their best-of-three semifinal series. The stands were filled with around 350 energetic fans, who witnessed a rollercoaster of intense rallies and spectacular plays.
McGill’s victory (3-1) rewrote the script as the fourth seed rose to the challenge against the favored Montreal team. The opening set showcased Montreal’s strong offense, led by Florence Cloutier (14 kills) and Milica Djordjevic (13 kills), culminating in a narrow 28-26 triumph for the home side. However, McGill answered in the second set with a vital 25-18 win, fueled by a solid three-point run that shifted the momentum.
The third set turned into a nail-biter, as the teams traded leads no fewer than 9 times. In the clutch moments, Elyssa Lajmi (15 kills, 2 aces) stepped up with devastating attacks, supported by the precise setting of Selima Guidara (37 assists, 2 aces). Montreal tried to reclaim control, but McGill’s resilience under pressure proved unbreakable.
The fourth set saw McGill’s block come alive, with a total of 8 team blocks (including 1 solo and 3 block assists from Charl. Chouinard-L.). Though Montreal's Sarah McGlashan (48 assists) orchestrated her offense with skill, McGill sealed the set 25-21. The referees, Patrice Preville and Martin Kingsbury, had their hands full with the fast-paced action, but their steady officiating kept the match flowing.
McGill’s toughest servers—Lajmi, Leduc, and Guidara—each contributed 2 aces, showcasing lethal serves at crucial moments. Meanwhile, Montreal’s crowd gave a boisterous cheer whenever Djurdjevic or Cloutier found the seam in McGill’s defense. Ultimately, the passionate home support was not enough to will Montreal to victory, making McGill’s road win all the more astonishing.
This was high-level volleyball at its finest: fierce attacks, impenetrable blocks, and dazzling digs under postseason pressure. With McGill grabbing a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three semifinal, everyone will be eagerly awaiting the next installment of this rivalry.
Score by Sets: 26-28, 25-18, 25-23, 25-21
Top front-row kills: McGill’s Elyssa Lajmi (15), Montreal’s Florence Cloutier (14)
Top “Free Throws” (aces): McGill’s Lajmi, Leduc, Guidara (2 each); Montreal’s Djordjevic (2)