VB: MRU, UBC hitters punch up in assertive victories

CALGARY – Mount Royal’s Haley Roe and UBC’s Conaire Taub were named the Canada West Volleyball Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday.

Roe led her Cougars to a weekend sweep of the then-top team in the conference. The UBC Thunderbirds entered Kenyon Court with a 14-2 record, with hungry eyes on the 11-5 Cougars. But it was MRU, led by Roe, who hunted, chasing the T-Birds out of town with a weekend sweep in straight sets.

Roe went up for 13 kills Friday evening against the top defence in the conference. She also slid four serves past the typically sound receiving of the T-Birds squad. She then showed off some defence of her own, helping on three blocks and popping up four digs in the 3-0 victory.

Roe doubled her defensive contribution Saturday with eight digs as the Cougars proved Friday was no fluke. She slammed down another 11 kills, converting at a clip of .375 against a UBC team that limits opponents to .132.

The fifth-year from Airdrie, AB, showed excellent form in a statement weekend.

She and the MRU Cougars will be back on the court Friday, Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4 after a bye weekend upcoming. They’re slated to travel to Edmonton to take on the Cougars at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. MST respectively. You can catch Friday’s game on TELUS Optik TV (channel 1997) as the featured Game of the Week. Both games will be available on Canada West TV.

Game log:
Jan. 20: 13K (.222), 4 SA, 3 BA, 4 digs, 18.5 points in 3-0 W vs UBC
Jan. 21: 11K (.375), 1 SA, 4 BA, 8 digs, 14 points in 3-0 W vs UBC

Conaire Taub also helped his team punch up at an opponent near the top of the CW standings. The UBC hitter put on a show, overpowering the then 13-3 Mount Royal Cougars with 12 kills Friday evening.

It didn’t take much for Taub to find the floor, converting on .350 of his looks. He put together a strong defensive showing as well, helping with three block assists and seven digs. His outing wasn’t quite enough to hold off the Cougars, as they fell in enemy territory 3-1.

Taub returned Saturday to lead all hitters with 18 kills in a four-set game. The rookie outside was the one leading the clinic as he pushed his T-Birds to an upset of the Cougars. He improved his efficiency to .361 and hit the deck 11 times in the 3-1 victory. The win helped UBC improve to 11-7 while showing the conference’s elite they’re hungry and ready to take their place.

Taub and the Thunderbirds will look to continue this momentum on Feb. 3 and 4 when they visit the Calgary Dinos at 6 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. MST respectively. You can catch the action exclusively on Canada West TV.

Game log:
Jan. 20: 12K (.350) 1SA, 3 BA, 7 digs, 14.5 points in 3-1 L at MRU
Jan. 21: 18K (.361), 3 BA, 11 digs, 19.5 points in 3-1 W at MRU