MVB: Huskies Close out the Year with a Winnipeg Wesmen Weekend Split

SASKATOON, SK – The U SPORTS fourth-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies and fifth-ranked Winnipeg Wesmen returned to Ron & Jane Graham Centre Court at the Physical Activity Complex Saturday afternoon for a rematch. The Winnipeg Wesmen entered the match hungry after falling to the Huskies in four sets Friday evening. Once again, the game proved to be gripping, but this time Winnipeg proved victorious with a 3-1 win. 
 
THE HIGHLIGHTS

• The first set was a continuation of Friday night’s exciting match up, as the two teams found themselves tied at 22, both on the verge of set point. Winnipeg’s Isaiah Olfert had the serve as Winnipeg stepped ahead. Reaching 24, Olfert would serve up an ace and give the Wesmen their first lead of the weekend (1-0).
• Winnipeg gained an early lead in set two, keeping a narrow lead on the Huskies through the set. With a swinging error at set point by the Wesmen, the Huskies found themselves tied with the Winnipeg, 23-23. Winnipeg closed out the set two points later.
• The third set started out with team going point for point, and the Huskies were able to capitalize to take a mid-set lead. The lead wouldn’t last long as Saskatchewan and Winnipeg found themselves tied again at 18. After battling it out, the Huskies finished the job, taking their first set of the night 28-26.
• The fourth set continued to be a fierce fight. In what could have been a set victory for either team, the Wesmen walked off the court with a narrow 26-24 set win over the Huskies and the 3-1 match win. 

THE STATS

• Winnipeg’s Isaiah Olfert would lead in attacks (18).
• Emmett Graham led the Huskies in attacks (15) and the game in service aces (4).
• Saskatchewan libero Ethan Smith and Winnipeg’s Isaiah Olfert led in digs (13).
• Liam Kristjanson from the Wesmen led in blocks, getting his hands on six of the Huskies’ swings.

THE STANDINGS 
The loss moves Saskatchewan’s record to 9-3, while Winnipeg’s record improves to 6-6. The Huskies sit in second place in Canada West with the Wesmen not far behind in fourth place. 
 
NEXT UP
The weekend series against the Wesmen was the final game for the Huskies in 2023. Saskatchewan returns to the court in the new year, welcoming the U SPORTS number two ranked Alberta Golden Bears to the Physical Activity Complex on January 5th and 6th for another top five match up. Tickets are available at HuskieTickets.com.