Dogs Swept in Tight Match with No. 1-Ranked Golden Bears

EDMONTON, Alta. – Isaac Heslinga, Canada West leader in kills-per-set, had a game-high 18 to lead the U SPORTS No. 1-ranked Alberta Golden Bears to a 3-0 (25-23, 28-26, 25-21) win over the No. 8-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies Friday night at the Saville Centre.

While the scoreline suggests a trouncing from the Alberta side, it was an incredibly close match, as the first two sets were decided by the minimum four points. Heslinga was joined in the effort by Jacob Sargent who had 13 kills and two blocks for the Bears, while Jacob Baird paced the Huskies with a team-high nine kills.

With the win, Alberta maintains its undefeated start to the year and have a firm lead in the CW. The Huskies take their second loss of the season to move to 3-2, and sit near the top of the standings in this early season.

The opening set saw a closely contested start, with the teams trading points and errors to remain neck-and-neck through the midway stages. Alberta found momentum behind Enis Besirevic and Isaac Heslinga, who combined for several key kills, and Jacob Sargent’s back-to-back service aces, two of his three in the game. The frame was close down the stretch,  but some key Huskies errors gave Alberta a tight 25-23 win.

In the tightly contested second set, the Bears mounted an impressive comeback against the visitors. Despite trailing 23-16, Alberta rallied behind the stellar performances of Isaac Heslinga and Jacob Sargeant, who each tallied seven kills, and capitalized on some key errors from Saskatchewan to close the gap and tie the score at 24-24. Sergeant was huge in extras, recording a handful of kills and a block as Alberta edged out Saskatchewan 28-26. They had a slight advantage in the hitting percentage department, attacking .406 compared to Saskatchewan’s .308 and giving the Bears a 2-0 lead.

The third set was a bit more of an impressive affair for the Bears, who took a commanding early lead and never looked back. Isaiah Mamer and the Huskies were able to claw the set back to just a four point deficit at 22-18, but some key blocks were able to finish the set and game in favour of the Bears.

The teams return to action tomorrow evening at the Saville Centre.