Cougars women’s volleyball fall to the Heat in home opener

The Mount Royal Cougars women’s volleyball team lost their home opener against the University of British Columbia Okanagan 3-1 (25-21, 20-25, 21-25, 20-25), on Kenyon Court.

In the first set, the Cougars dominated the Heat with some unbelievable defensive efforts. Brownwynn Davies-Neira led the defensive charge, starting the game with an unbelievable dig. Lexi Herrod helped convert those defensive efforts into great looks for her teammates, as she had seven of her team’s 13 total sets. Those led to eight successful first-set Cougars kills, four more than the Heat could muster. The Cougars elite blocking and hustle for digs helped them come out victorious 25-21 to take an early lead in the game.

The second set was where the game swung in favour of the Heat as they turned things up on the court. Cougars left side Sydney Scratchard nailed an early kill to open the set and the Cougars consistently managed to hit the center of the Heat’s court, but UBCO clawed their way into the lead with their serving efficiency. The youth of the Cougars team came forward, as they made seven errors to the Heat’s two, losing the second set 25-20.

The Heat continued their excellent serving, but MRU outside hitter Jessica Oscevsky continued her great night and kept the Cougars in a tight third set. Whether it was her ability to kill the ball in timely moments or accurately place the ball to force Heat errors, she stood out clearly on the team as their veteran hitter. It wasn’t enough though, as the Heat responded with digging on tough shot after tough shot, counteracting the excellent Cougar blocking. In the end UBCO took the set 25-21 while MRU was unable to match their earlier offensive efficiency.

The Cougars gave it everything they had in the fourth set, forcing the Heat to react to tough, quick plays, however their consistent errors kept the Heat in the game. Mount Royal would finish the match with 21 more errors than their opposition. Cougars middle Mya Morgan tried her best with clutch digs to keep the team in the game, while Scatcherd tried to match Oscevsky’s killing ability. It wasn’t enough though, as the Heat went on a huge closing run to win the set 25-20 and the game 3-1.

The Cougars match up against the Heat again on Saturday, October 28 at 5 p.m. on Kenyon Court at Mount Royal University.