It has been roughly 20 years since the Laurentian Voyageurs hosted a women’s basketball playoff game, but that drought ends Wednesday night when the Voyageurs tip off at 7:00 p.m. inside the Ben Avery Gym.
Head coach Jason Hurley’s squad earned the home date after closing out the regular season in impressive fashion, finishing 13-9 and riding a surge of momentum into the postseason.
Statement Wins to Close the Season
Laurentian secured its playoff position with back-to-back home victories over two tough opponents, first knocking off the Carleton Ravens 76-66 before dispatching the Ottawa Gee-Gees 73-54.
Against Carleton, who finished the year at 16-6, the Voyageurs leaned heavily on their veteran tandem of Claudia Pellerin and Emilie Lafond. Pellerin poured in 26 points while Lafond added 19, with Cadence Pecore contributing 13. Molly Adams and Audrey-Anne Labreche chipped in six points each as Laurentian stormed out to a 20-11 lead after the first quarter and stretched the advantage to 38-24 by halftime.
The Voyageurs were efficient at both ends of the floor, shooting 45.1 percent from the field compared to Carleton’s 27.6 percent, while also holding a significant edge from beyond the arc. Kyana-Jade Poulin led the Ravens with 22 points in defeat.
One night later, Laurentian carried that energy into a matchup with Ottawa. After a tight opening quarter, the Voyageurs broke the game open with a dominant 23-8 second frame and never looked back.
Lafond led the way with 26 points, Pellerin added 17, and Adams contributed 12. Megan Axiak and Madison Peak each scored six as Laurentian once again showcased balanced scoring and composure. The Voyageurs shot 41.9 percent from the field and were particularly sharp at the free throw line, converting 13 of 15 attempts. They also controlled the glass with a 41-26 rebounding advantage, as both Lafond and Pellerin recorded 12 rebounds apiece.
Built on Veteran Leadership
“This was a slow build,” Hurley said of his team’s progression. “Like any discomfort, there was resistance. It’s been the daily habits that our veterans have instilled in our talented group of first years that has been key.”
Hurley was quick to praise his veteran leaders.
“Em Lafond and Claudia Pellerin are amongst the elite in the conference,” he said. “Our supporting players embrace their roles every day. We’ve shot the ball well, taken care of the ball, and shared it.”
Both Lafond and Pellerin are graduates of Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, adding a hometown connection to the playoff story.
York Lions Await
Standing in Laurentian’s path Wednesday are the York Lions, who finished the regular season at 11-11. Hurley highlighted the challenge posed by York guard Kiera Leveridge, who averages 14.8 points per game.
“We need to take care of the details in order to be successful on Wednesday,” Hurley said.
With a playoff game finally returning to home court, the Voyageurs are hoping Sudbury basketball fans will pack the Ben Avery Gym and provide the spark that has been two decades in the making.
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Elsewhere in playoff action, Sudbury’s Annie Balfe suited up in all 22 regular-season games for the Western Mustangs, finishing the year with 94 points. Meanwhile, Bree Bourget of the top-seeded Queen's Gaels continues to recover from a knee injury as her team enters the postseason with a 21-1 record.
For Laurentian, however, the focus is squarely on Wednesday night, when a long-awaited playoff return finally tips off at home.