Alberta proves too much Saturday

EDMONTON – Fifth-year Lauryn Tremblay continued her stellar campaign with a game-high 13 kills in Alberta’s 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-22) victory Saturday evening at the Saville Centre.

Alberta outhit the visitors .221 to .097, showcasing a strong offensive attack while presenting a stifling defence, especially at the blockline, that Calgary was not able to overcome.

With the win the Pandas maintain their hold on third place in the Canada West with a 14-4 record. The Dinos are now tied for seventh with the Saskatchewan Huskies, both with a 7-11 record.

Tremblay was flanked by a good performance from second-year Laila Johnston, who had 11 kills on an impressive .308 hitting percentage.

The Dinos saw a great performance from third-year Mya Sheridan – returning to the court for the first time this semester – who finished fourth on the team in kills with three, and added a game-high four blocks as she provided much needed stability on the blockline. Third-year Sammi Boag led the team with six kills.

The Pandas were in their groove in the opening set. They hit .400 in the frame, and featured three-kill sets from Tremblay and Laila Johnston. Alberta also out-blocked the Dinos 4-to-1.5, with middles Allie Moore and Ronnie Dickson providing some stalwart defence in the set. Calgary saw a good set from leading attacker Sophie Reed who also had three kills.

The second set was a closer affair for the majority of the frame, but some stellar play from Johnston, who had four kills on just five attacks, was able to help the home side to a 25-19 victory. Libero Kalysta Knappett was on fire for Alberta, recording a set-high seven digs and extending some very difficult plays. Alice Nikolaychuk was a standout for the Dinos with a team-high two kills and added a block and a nice dig on top.

The final frame was the best of the day as, after the Pandas jumped out to an early lead, the Dinos were able to claw back to a 20-20 tie game with some stellar play from Sheridan and the team’s defensive setup. However, the rookie Dickson recorded a kill and a block to help the Pandas put the game away 25-22.

The Pandas travel across the North Saskatchewan River next weekend for a date with the MacEwan Griffins, while the Dinos face the Huskies at home.

-UC-