MONTREAL -- Maude Babin scored a game-high 21 points as ninth-ranked Université de Montréal rebounded from an opening set loss to stun No. 6 McGill 3-2 and capture the RSEQ women's volleyball league championship at Love Competition Hall, Sunday. The Carabins rallied to win the best-of-three series 2-1 after losing Friday's opener 3-1 before knotting the series on Saturday with a 3-2 win on their home court.
 
It was the fifth consecutive banner for UdeM, which has now claimed 13 titles -- and 10 of the last 12 -- since the Quebec league was founded in 1972. They advance to the USPORTS Final Eight national championship in Edmonton, March 15-17.

McGill, the top seed in the Quebec conference, concludes a wonderful season with a 29-11 record overall, including a 17-3 first-place finish and a 3-3 playoff performance. Their 17 wins was a single season team record and their divisional pennant was only their second in team history.

McGill won the first set 25-11 but UdeM rallied to take the next two 25-22 and 25-16. The Martlets forced a tie-breaker with a 25-15 result in the fourth set but Montreal played an inspired fifth set to come away with a 15-10 advantage.
 
The leads changed hands countless times throughout the contest, which took one hour and 55 minutes to play. The Martlets had a 14-4 edge in service aces and a 14-7 margin in blocks, but were unable to take advantage. Montreal held a 55-42 lead in kills and a 67-52 difference in digs.
 
Other Carabins to reach double-digit scoring were Olympe Desmedt (11 pts) and Marianne Boulanger (10.5 pts)

"I'm disappointed with the result but satisfied with how we performed in all three matches," said Martlet head coach Rachele Beliveau, a former Canadian Olympian who just completed her 28th campaign behind the bench and now owns a 640-523-2 record in 1,165 games overall.  "I have to congratulate Montreal, which played their best volleyball of the season. I am quite pleased with the overall performance and consistency we showed. That was definitely the toughest and the most challenging final that I've ever seen in the Quebec conference."
 
Freshman Charlene Robitaille of St Jean, Que., led the Martlets with 15.5 points, on 12 kills and 3.5 stuff blocks. She added one dig and three assists. Teammate Claire Vercheval, a junior from St. Julie, Que., posted a dozen kills, one ace, three blocks and eight digs, while senior Mila Krunic of Oakville, Ont., contributed three kills, five aces, five blocks and one dig.
 
It was the final appearance in a McGill uniform for two graduating veterans. All-star power-hitter Emilie Matte de Grasse, a physical health and education senior from Montreal, and an alternate captain. She had eight kills, one ace, and assisted block and three digs. Libero Ariane Lavoie-Boutin, a mechanical engineering senior from La Prairie, Que., tallied eight digs on defence.
 
"Emilie's performance was very consistent, mature and composed. Honestly, that was her best season. I'm really glad she came back for her fifth year. We'll miss her," said Beliveau. "Ariane stabilized our serve reception and did a great job as one of our liberos this season. I wish both of them the best for their future."

BOXSCORE