Hamilton, ON- After all the highs and lows of their victory over the Manitoba Bisons, Abby Guezen still felt lots of adrenaline. How could she not after what just happened?

Guezen and her Alberta Pandas had just edged out the Manitoba Bisons in a five-set thriller in the national semi-final on Mar. 16. A game of trading points, fine margins and relentless defence. A game that was decided by two points in the final set.

A game where Guezen – the Canada West and U SPORTS Rookie of the Year – had a game-high 33 kills. Half of her team’s 66 kills.

“I’ll take a good night’s rest but I could have kept going if I needed to,” she said.

The outside hitter knew her team was in for a fight. They had played Manitoba twice earlier this season – winning one and losing one. So, they brought the same fight mentality they did before. They prepared themselves mentally to go two-and-a half to three hours.

They kept fighting. They won the first set before losing the second. They won the third set before losing the fourth. They came back numerous times in the fifth set.

Could she feel the pressure as the moments got bigger and bigger? No.

Guezen knew there were nerves but she didn’t feel them. She and her teammates have been in pressure-packed moments before. She just kept pushing in the fifth set.

Her teammates kept going to her as well. Head coach Carolyn O’Dwyer pointed out how they would talk about schemes and tactics during timeouts but ultimately, they trusted setter Justine Kolody to make decisions. They knew how well she thinks the game.

Kolody and the Pandas kept going to Guezen. She kept scoring.

 “Abby’s on fire for a lack of a better term,” O’Dwyer noted. “When it’s a big point, I think everyone in the gym knows its going there but I think you kind of take the hot hand in that moment and hope it goes your way.”

Guezen reached this moment with the help of one teammate in particular. While she’s in her first season, fellow outside hitter Lauryn Tremblay is in her last. O’Dwyer found it was so special to see their relationship.

When Guezen was younger, Tremblay was one of the coolest volleyball players in the world in her eyes. Tremblay has been a mainstay with the program since 2018. She’s their leader and team captain. Forget the high and lows of a game. She’s been through the highs and lows of the program.

Guezen feels so inspired to play with her this season. She’s so happy to learn everything she can from her.

The two of them work on skills and how to attack. They’ll talk about it.

Tremblay will also tell her teammates what they need to hear in crucial moments. Like against Manitoba in a national semi-finals.

She’s the one they’ll look to when things are going south, libero and fellow senior Kalysta Knappett pointed out. She’ll guide them to where they need to go.

She’s the one showing the younger players they can do things. She’ll guide them so they can do so. She’ll help them prepare for the nerves of a big game.

She’s the one Guezen looks to during a game. Just look at the way she holds herself on the court. Look at how she’s helping the team reset after every point.

Guezen knows she can get a little high on adrenaline sometimes. Tremblay is good at calming her down.

That comes from within. The senior focused on staying steady against Manitoba. She focused on the next point and reset after each one. She did so by making meaningful eye contact with her teammates after each point. They knew to go on the run on the next ball.

She and Guezen have also worked on connecting. Any time something happens on the court, they’re always making eye contact. They’re always together.

What did she see from Guezen against the Bisons?

“Abby’s attacking tonight was incredible,” she said. “It was like everything she touched turned into a kill, which was amazing.”

Tremblay is so proud of her. They kept scoring. They kept fighting. They kept connecting.

The Pandas will now play for a chance at national glory against the UBC Thunderbirds. It would be their first national title since 2007. For Tremblay, it’s her final university game. Her final shot at it. “It’s amazing,” she said.

She knows the opportunity in front of her. One that doesn’t come by every day. She’s super excited for it.

What was Guezen feeling? She was also excited for the finals. That evening though? She knew she would get a good’s night rest.

And if the Pandas win the national title?

Imagine all the adrenaline and excitement Guezen and her teammates would feel after that.

Featured Image: Laurel Jarvis/U SPORTS