CALGARY, AB – The University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s volleyball team turned things around after a narrow loss Friday evening and defeated the Mount Royal University Cougars 3-1 (24-26, 18-25, 25-21, 22-25) Saturday night at Kenyon Court and split the weekend series.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
The first set was a back-and-forth battle between the Huskies and Cougars. Saskatchewan setter Noah Opseth distributed his attack well, diversifying his options to Emmett Graham, Isaiah Mamer and Jefferson Morrow. The Huskies registered a staggering 17 kills in the first set and narrowly defeated the Cougars.
Saskatchewan kept cruising in the second set. Midway through the set, Jefferson Morrow denied Cougars star Chris Byam at the net with a huge block. The Australian’s big play electrified his team and surged the Huskies to an assertive 2-0 lead.
The Cougars turned to their bench to make the comeback attempt. Rookie setter Grant Hill formed an impressive partnership with Tate Howell to give Mount Royal some life. Howell put down 12 kills and was the Cougars’ best player on Saturday.
In the third set, the two squads took it down to the wire, but a booming kill from Max Haronga sealed the third-set win for MRU to force a fourth.
In the fourth, Saskatchewan regained their swagger. After trading points, the Huskies began to control the play and forced the Cougars to call a timeout. Mount Royal went to the bench to regroup and put some points back on the board, tying the game at 20 after a red card was issued to the Huskies, and MRU was awarded a point. However, the Huskies were able to pull away to secure the win and the weekend split with the Cougars.
THE STATS
Saskatchewan’s Isaiah Mamer lead the match in kills with 14 on the night.
Christopher Byram and Tate Howell would lead in kills for the Cougars with 12 a piece.
Ethan Smith (SSK) would lead the stats in digs, putting up 12 balls off of MRU’s swings.
Saskatchewan would have a total of 7.0 team blocks and the Cougars with 6.0.
MRU had a team total of 5 service aces, and SSK with 3 in the match.
THE STANDINGS
Both teams have earned a place among the top 10 ranked teams in U Sports, the Huskies holding fourth place, with the Cougars not far behind in 6th. The win will improve the Huskies’ record to 10-6 with the loss shifting Mount Royal to the same record.
NEXT UP
The men’s volleyball team will have a weekend off before returning to the court at the Physical Activity Complex and welcoming the UFV Cascades Friday, January 26 at 6:00 PM and Saturday, January 27 at 3:00 PM. Tickets are available for purchase at HuskieTickets.com.