The McGill Martlets hit the court on Friday evening looking to take down the Laval Rouge-et-Or after losing to them earlier in the month. The Martlets dressed in pink in support of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation for McGill’s annual Dig for the Cure Night. They had an energetic, but inconsistent performance in front of the packed stands at Love Competition Hall. Despite the solid effort, McGill (4-6) fell to Laval (8-2) for the second time this year, three sets to one.

Both the Martlets and the Rouge-et-Or started off strong in the first set, and traded points early on. However, the Martlets sagged following the technical timeout, paving the way for Laval’s scoring run. The Rouge-et-Or won the first set 25-19.

McGill turned things around in the second, however, creating an early lead before settling into a tight set with Laval. The Martlets relied heavily on scramble plays, and capitalized on their offensive opportunities to win the set 25-22. Fifth-year setter Marcela Mansure finished the match with 36 assists, many of which went to captain Geneviève Plante, who tacked on 13 kills and one ace in the game. Mansure praised McGill’s offensive approach against Laval.

“Hitting-wise, we did well. We tried different options. We weren’t [always] hitting the same thing because Laval is a team that adjusts very quickly. Our hitters were able to switch it around… [and] try different things,” Mansure explained.

After losing the third set in which the Martlets appeared disjointed due to defensive communication errors, McGill came out roaring to start the final game. With the crowd behind them, the Martlets battled the Rouge-et-Or on each point and hustled on digs, which led to offensive chances. However, their opponents played a stellar defence, and the Rouge-et-Or registered 7.5 team blocks to McGill’s two. In the end, Laval pulled away in the set, and won 25-19, despite a late rally by the Martlets.

McGill has been fairly inconsistent so far this season. At times, the Martlets have played smartly and efficiently on both offence and defence. However, Head Coach Rachele Beliveau recognizes McGill’s tendency to give up leads, or fall behind after making mistakes.

“We started [the game] really well. It’s when we started to miss some serves that we were [bothered] mentally. Then we didn’t play as intensively. And then we started [questioning ourselves] … and [when] we do that we are not playing the same game,” she said. “We still played a decent game, but not … the same fluid game.”

Plante agreed that the Martlets’ inconsistency has been crucial in their struggles as a team, and added that youth may be a factor.

“We were up and down all game. When we played together we were really strong, and I think it showed. We put the pressure on the other team, and they struggled with what we were doing,” she said. “But we’re a really young team, so it’s hard for us to stay consistent with our intensity.”

The Martlets need to fix some of their problems in their play if they wish to stake a claim for the RSEQ title. They must work on improving their serving percentage and first contacts, both of which are integral to executing game plans.

However, as the season wears on, the team—which boasts a good mix of youth and veteran talent—should begin to mesh and put together more consistent efforts.

McGill fell again to the Montreal Carabins on Sunday three sets to one. The team looks to bounce back on Nov. 23 against Memorial University at Love Competition Hall.

After the conclusion of the Redmen’s 2012 outdoor season, the McGill Tribune met with graduating centre-back Alexis Pradié.  Last week, the Marseille native earned CIS First Team All-Star status for the second time in two years. Pradié, who’s leaving McGill with a MBA in April, comments on soccer, school, and what it means to be a Redmen.

McGill Tribune: The South of France is a very popular tourist destination for North Americans. Do you notice its mystique? Or does it just feel like home? 

Alexis Pradié: It is a very touristy area, but we don’t really pay attention to that. When you’re in your day-to-day life you don’t really see anything … But the soccer team is a very big influence, and every kid wants to grow up [to be] one of the stars. Regardless of whether you come from a rich neighbourhood or a slum, everyone plays soccer and dreams of becoming a [soccer] star.

MT: What was your career like in France?

AP: I started playing in the [Marseille youth] academy when I was 12, and [stayed with it] through the years. I graduated from high school when I was 17, and then dedicated my life to playing soccer. I played there for three years from that point, between the reserve and professional team for Marseille … meaning I travelled to Russia and to England to play with the team. It was a lot of fun, but it’s a very difficult environment. Then I ran into some injuries when I turned 20, and couldn’t play for six months. It kind of puts things into perspective, makes you think what your life is going to be like if you get injured again. So at that point, I just decided to focus on my studies as well.

MT: How was your first professional game?

AP: It was fun, playing in front of 45,000 fans against Paris. We [tied] and I played well. Paris was a very big team at the time, so everyone thought we were going to get hammered, [but] we ended up drawing 0-0.

MT: Was injury the major reason you decided to come to North America?

AP: The injury and also the whole context and environment. In order to make it, you have to be lucky and you have to be good. I’m going to stay polite, but you have to play the system.

MT: Where did you first play in North America?

AP: I started in Florida when I was 20. [I] stayed there for four years, got my undergraduate [degree] in business, and came to Montreal last year. I couldn’t play in the NCAA because I was ineligible [because I played] professionally, so I went to a small university [in Florida].

MT: What was the experience like training in the MLS?

AP: When I finished my undergrad, I was drafted to Dallas. I went there for pre-season in January and stayed with the team for a month. At that point, I had the option to stay with them, or continue to McGill. It was the same situation that I had in France. ‘Are you going to go for a professional career, or are you going for an education?’ McGill was such a good opportunity, very prestigious. I couldn’t let it go; and I had basically turned the page on [my] professional [career] in France.

MT: Can you describe your time as a Redmen?

AP: Very good experience. Different from what I’ve seen in Europe, obviously, and the U.S. as well. The players are very young, like 17 or 18, so at the beginning, the level is lower. But they are also very eager to learn, and the two years I’ve been here, there have been two great groups of guys.

MT: How were you able to balance the different dynamics with the age differences?

AP: I tried to come very open-minded, and learn from the environment I was in. It takes a bit of time, but once you can prove yourself, people respect it and see you can bring something to the table … and of course, I listened to the other guys and learned something new too. It’s a give-and-take scenario, and it went very well. I was very happy.

MT: Last year you went to Nationals and this year you missed the playoffs. Was there any disappointment, or was it simply two different years with different goals?

AP: That’s a tough question because last year was a lot of fun: we were winning, but the style of play wasn’t very pretty. I wasn’t used to that. This year was fun to play when we were on the field, but we weren’t getting any results, which is tough. So a mix of the two seasons would have been nice.

MT: What would be your message to the 15 returning rookies? 

AP: Maintain the Redmen tradition, and the work ethic we’ve been trying to keep up this year. There is a lot of talent, but we need to keep the mentality of winning and giving a full effort. That’s very important.

MT: Is your career definitely over?

AP: Yeah, I think so. But I’ll play [for fun] for sure. It was hard when I was younger, realizing you either have it or you don’t. It’s not something you can fight against … In my case, I realized I could be a decent player, but that’s not what I wanted; I wanted to be a good player. Accepting that fact, and putting studies before [the sport] was my decision, and now it’s no problem. Now I’m playing for fun, and with guys I love. It’s very enjoyable.

In case you were too busy devoting all your time to the latest instalment of Call of Duty, here’s what you missed this past week in the world of sports …

BASKETBALL — The Memphis Grizzlies are the hottest team in the NBA with eight straight victories, following their 94-87 win over the surprising Charlotte Bobcats. Laker fans are still waiting for things to turn around after starting a mediocre 5-5. However, it is still too early for panicking in the City of Angels. The same cannot be said for Wizards fans. Washington’s 0-8 start shows no signs of stopping.

The injury bug bit the Toronto Raptors last week—Kyle Lowry, Landry Fields, and Alan Anderson are all currently nursing injuries. The team is still competitive, but has failed to post wins in the standings and sits at 3-7.

Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant tallied his first career triple-double on Sunday night, while in one of the craziest plays in recent memory, Chicago Bulls 5’9 guard Nate Robinson went in-between and under the legs of Sebastian Telfair en route, to a casual lay-up.

FOOTBALL — The CFL switched over to the Sunday schedule this weekend for the Eastern and Western division finals. On our side of the country, Montreal lost a heartbreaker at home to the Toronto Argonauts 27-20. Despite two chances for Als’ quarterback Anthony Calvillo and co. to tie the game late, the Argos’ consistent play throughout the game was enough to ensure them a spot to vie for the 100th Grey Cup at home in Toronto.

Over in the West, the Calgary Stampeders earned a trip to the Grey Cup by toppling the defending champions, the BC Lions, 34-29. Stampeders backup quarterback Kevin Glenn started the game for Calgary, as starting quarterback Drew Tate was out with a fractured forearm. Glenn filled in nicely, and he threw for three touchdown passes in the victory.

Down south in the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons somehow found a way to improve their record to 9-1, even though Matt Ryan threw five interceptions and no touchdowns. The Houston Texans, the league’s only other one-loss team, won a cracker-jack affair against the Jacksonville Jaguars in overtime, as the teams combined to score 80 points. The high-scoring New England Patriots looked unstoppable on Sunday, routing the Colts 59-24.

SOCCER — Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovich had a memorable game on Wednesday,  scoring four goals against England in an international friendly. One of his tallies is being played on highlight reels all around the world, and is touted as one of the greatest goals of all time. He fielded English keeper Joe Hart’s hapless clearance attempt with a bicycle-kick from 30 yards out,  and miracously scored.

In club play, both Manchester clubs are atop the EPL, with Manchester City having the slight one-point advantage over United after 12 games. This came following after United’s surprise defeat at the hands of lowly Norwich on Saturday.

The Spanish League is playing out as expected, with Barcelona leading the standings with a three-point advantage over neighbouring Athletico Madrid.

The McGill Redmen barreled into the RSEQ finals on Sunday afternoon, coming off of a domineering 76-15 victory over Bishop’s in the semifinals. In the match, the Redmen pulled off a hard-fought victory, defeating the Stingers 24-18 at Concordia Stadium to bring home their seventh consecutive conference title.

McGill drew first blood thanks to a try from Ian Carvalho-Campos in the 15th minute of the first half. It was a tight match from then on, with McGill falling behind in the 38th minute of the first half after two penalties by the Stingers. The Redmen regained the lead after third-year wing Zechary Miller converted a try in the 38th minute. McGill maintained its advantage throughout the rest of the contest. Joshua Blair and Rob Ashe also scored tries in the 48th and 63rd minute respectively, which pushed the Redmen towards triumph.

The match came down to the wire, after the referees waved off a game-clinching Redmen try, and awarded Concordia a penalty try with two minutes remaining. McGill Head Coach Craig Beemer, however, had faith in his squad and wasn’t fazed.

“I was confident throughout the game,” Beemer said. “But it took the final whistle to ensure the win.”

The victory over Concordia sealed a six-game winning streak for the Redmen this fall, but the road wasn’t easy.

“This season was easily the most tumultuous of my seven years being a coach of the program,” Beemer admitted.

Despite their strong start to the season, the Redmen were forced to forfeit the first four games they played due to a self-reported player ineligibility issue. However, the team persevered and refused to let the matter put a damper on the season.

“The guys really responded well … finishing the season by winning our last four games, and then going on the road for the playoffs, beating both Bishop’s and Concordia to win the championship,” Beemer said.

On the whole, the team is pleased with this year’s results. Keelan Chapman, a fourth-year hooker and one of the Redmen’s veteran leaders, attributed the team’s successful season the coaching staff’s fine-tuning, which brought “more rigour and precision” to an already talented squad.

The end of a season inevitably means farewell to graduating fourth and fifth-year athletes. In particular, the team will lose a wealth of experience and leadership with the departure of Carvalho-Campos and Miller. While it will be difficult to replace these talents, Beemer doesn’t seem to be too concerned about the void.

“The fact that we have approximately 70 athletes as part of our rugby program each year is really the reason we continue to find success,” he said. “When one athlete graduates there are already two guys looking to fill his place.”

Beemer’s nearly flawless track record only substantiates this optimism. In his two years as an assistant coach, and five years as the head coach, the Redmen have claimed seven championships and lost only two games, barring this season’s forfeits—an impressive feat.

This year’s seniors laced up their boots for the last time as Redmen, but their shoes will be filled next August by a new generation of young athletes, tasked with upholding the hard-nosed reputation of one of the most accomplished athletic programs at McGill. Based on past indications, continued success seems likely.