At CEPSUM in Montreal, the home team left no room for doubt, securing a commanding 3-0 victory (25-20, 25-13, 25-8) over ETS. With an impenetrable block and a flawless distribution from setter Naomi Babii, Montreal dictated the pace from the very first serve and cruised to a decisive win.
First set: A competitive start
The opening set saw both teams battling evenly, with ETS staying in the fight thanks to the offensive efforts of Iman Assameur, who led her team with seven kills. However, Montreal’s depth shone through, particularly Florence Cloutier (11 points), who closed the set with precise attacks and a key block. A five-point run after a 15-15 tie gave Montreal full control, closing the set 25-20.
Second set: Montreal takes over
The second set showcased the true gap between both squads. An early five-point streak, led by the powerful serves of Milica Djordjevic (3 aces in the match), stifled any ETS comeback attempt. Despite a solid effort from ETS setter Sorayan Ton-Leclerc (10 assists), their offense was constantly shut down by Montreal’s defense, particularly by Julia Lanthier, who recorded an impressive eight blocks. Montreal comfortably took the set 25-13.
Third set: A volleyball masterclass
The final set was a complete showcase of Montreal’s dominance. Jumping to an 8-1 lead, thanks to the precise serving of Naomi Babii, the gap became insurmountable. ETS tried to respond with an ace from Gabrielle Brisebois, but Florence Lapointe and Cloutier overwhelmed their defense. Montreal closed out the match with a crushing 25-8 scoreline, demonstrating their overall strength.
Key stats
Best setter: Naomi Babii (Montreal) – 32 assists, 2 aces.
Top scorer: Florence Cloutier (Montreal) – 11 points, 3 blocks.
Best blocker: Julia Lanthier (Montreal) – 8 blocks.
Best defender: Iman Assameur (ETS) – 12 digs, 7 kills.
Longest scoring run: 8-0 for Montreal in the third set.
With this win, Montreal solidifies itself as a top contender, while ETS must work on their reception and blocking for upcoming matches.