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Six Mount Royal Cougars teams were in action during the last weekend of November. While the men’s hockey team and both basketball teams play at home, MRU’s women’s hockey team flew west to Langley for two games against the TWU Spartans and the volleyball squads headed up Crowchild Trail for matches against the Dinos. This week’s edition of Cougars Catchup highlights the notable moments from the road games as we come up on the final weekend of play in 2023.
Outside hitting trio leads Cougars to weekend split in women’s volleyball
Mount Royal’s women’s volleyball team got back into the win column during the latest version of the Crowchild Classic.
Jessica Osczevski started the game on fire for the Cougars, registering a kill followed by three straight serves that the Dinos could not handle. Mount Royal dominated the first set, winning 25-16 and recording 13 total kills.
MRU kept cruising, taking the second set as well. The Dinos were able to steal one back before the Cougars finished it off to win 3-1 at the Jack Simpson.
On Saturday, the rivals produced a thriller of a game that included a 32-30 win for MRU in the third set. In a five-set battle, Calgary grabbed the victory after defeating Mount Royal 15-12 in the fifth and deciding set.
Along with Osczevski, outside hitters Bronwynn Davies-Neira and Sydney Scatcherd displayed impressive offensive performances, while setter Lexi Herrod was masterful in her distribution of the ball.
Byam continues dominance, van Geel excels against Calgary
The MRU men’s volleyball team swept crosstown rivals, the University of Calgary Dinos, at the Jack Simpson Gymnasium last weekend. Chris Byam was the key player that led to the Cougars’ success in the two games but was not alone in standout performances. On Friday, Jacob van Geel registered 15 kills, while setter Samson Olsen dished out 27 assists. After splitting the first two sets, the Cougars took firm control of the match. van Geel secured the victory in the fourth set with a kill.
On Saturday, Mount Royal picked up right where they left off, taking the first two sets. Veterans Jovan Stepanovic and Cody Boulding showcased an impressive performance, each providing excellent serving and rock-solid defence above the net. Chris Byam posted a season-high 22 kills including the match point to win 3-1 over the Dinos.
Unfortunately, Jacob van Geel sustained an apparent ankle injury late in the fourth set and was forced to leave the game. Following the eventual victory, his teammates celebrated with him as he recorded another fantastic performance before his injury.
Women’s hockey team extends win streak to seven
Cougars women’s hockey stayed hot while hitting the road, picking up two clutch wins over the Trinity Western Spartans in the lower mainland.
MRU’s league-best powerplay was a difference-maker in Friday’s game. After the Spartans took a penalty, Emma Bergesen opened the scoring in the first period with a wrister on a 2-on-1. Aliya Jomha extended the Cougars lead with a nifty redirection off Jori Hansen-Young’s clapper from the point.
After the Spartan wrangled back to tie it up at two, Allee Gerrard played hero, deflecting Bergesen’s shot past the Trinity netminder with under three minutes left. Despite the Trinity comeback, MRU held on for the win on Friday.
Scout Anderson got the start on Saturday and recorded her second shutout of the season. The second-year goaltender led the Cougars to a shutdown 2-0 win, stopping all 25 shots. Allee Gerrard tallied her second goal of the weekend, reaching 10 on the season which leads MRU. Abbey Borbandy got her fist marker of the season in the third period, helping the Cougars win their seventh game in a row.
Next Weekend
Next weekend marks the final games for all Cougars teams in 2023 before going into the holiday break. After four straight road games each, the volleyball teams finally return to Kenyon Court to take on the MacEwan Griffins. The women’s hockey team also returns home and will face off against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Fans can purchase tickets online or stream all the action live on Canada West TV.