Pandas capture 1st national university volleyball title in 19 years

The University of Alberta Pandas volleyball team is celebrating its first national championship in 19 years.

The University of Alberta’s women’s volleyball team won its first national championship in 19 years on Sunday.

The Pandas beat the Université de Sherbrooke in straight sets in Langley, B.C., to win their eighth national university title and first since 2007.

Pandas head coach Carolyn O’Dwyer and her team won gold after winning silver and bronze medals their two previous seasons.

O’Dwyer says her team learned from those experiences.

“There was a lot they could take away from that – how to perform under pressure and be their best when it matters – so I think we saw a really mature group this weekend that kind of knew how to win in those big moments.”

Fourth-year outside hitter Laila Johnston was named the final’s player of the match for Alberta, while third-year outside hitter Abby Guezen was named the most-valuable player of the championship.

Alberta’s Guezen, Johnston and setter Justine Kolody were named three of the tournament’s seven all-stars.