Johnston, Tremblay lead Pandas to sweep of Huskies

SASKATOON, SK – After a tough loss Friday evening in straight sets to the Alberta Pandas, the Saskatchewan Huskies came hungry for a win to split the series with their forceful competitors. Still, despite many powerful swings, impressive saves, and big blocks, Saskatchewan would be no match for Alberta. The Pandas would sweep the weekend series in six-straight sets between the two matches.
 
THE HIGHLIGHTS

• The Pandas took an early lead in the first set, finding themselves in a 10-point lead (5-15)early in the match. The Huskies battled back, slightly thinning the gap, but only for moments before Alberta regained control, taking the set 25-13.
• The second set started with a service error from the Pandas, giving the Huskies their first lead, but the Pandas wasted no time regaining it. The Huskies put up a fight, keeping the score within reason. Eventually, the Pandas would take the set 25-19.
• The Huskies came out relentless in the third, going point for point with the Pandas, swapping the lead back and forth for the first half of the set. The Pandas would find a second gear and close out the set 25-17,  defeating the Huskies in straight sets.

THE STATS

• Alberta’s Lauryn Tremblay and Laila Johnson led the night in kills with 14 apiece, Tremblay swinging 0.290 and Johnson swinging 0.300.
• Olivia Mattern led the Huskies in kills with 6.
• The Pandas put up 7.0 team blocks, and the Huskies with 4.0.
• Alberta’s Kalysta Knappett lead the stats in digs, putting up 17 balls off of Huskie swings.

THE STANDINGS
The Pandas’ weekend wins will move their record to 12-2, and the losses will set the Huskies back to 5-9. The Pandas are currently ranked 7th in the U Sports standings and 2nd in Canada West, and the Huskies sit in the 7th position in Canada West.