T-Birds sweep Huskies to open quarter-final series on the road

SASKATOON, SK – The visiting number five seed UBC Thunderbirds made an early statement on the road as they swept the fourth ranked Saskatchewan Huskies 3-0 (25-23, 28-26, 25-23) in game one of their best of three Canada West quarter-final series Friday evening at the Physical Activity Complex.
 
“I thought we played really well,” said Thunderbirds Head Coach Mike Hawkins. “This was a team we knew was going to be really difficult to play. But we understand what their strengths are. It was probably quite a bit of a curve ball that our lineup looks different.”

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Thunderbirds jumped out to a quick 8-4 lead, due to a number of Huskie errors. Saskatchewan would take a timeout and the momentum would shift in their favour as they went up 11-10. The teams traded points through the middle of the set, with four service errors between the two teams. A spectacular block from Saskatchewan’s Dylan Mortensen, would put the Huskies up 20-19 but UBC would be undeterred, taking the lead back and winning the set 25-23.

 
The second set would see the Huskies take the 6-3 lead early. All tied up at 19-19, UBC would creep up to 21-19 before a Saskatchewan timeout. A huge block from the Huskies would get the crowd going but it wouldn’t stop the Thunderbirds, who took the second set 28-26.
 
UBC was a formidable opponent for the Huskies, and the teams’ traded points through much of the third set. Tied at 20-20, two kills from Levi Olson moved the Huskies forward but UBC’s Matt Neaves would come storming back with two of his own. the score was tight until two quick kills from Matt Neaves, and one from Coltyn Liu, would give UBC the 25-23 win, and the 3-0 sweep.
 
“We played a really, really good volleyball team,” said Huskies Head Coach Sean McKay. “They have a bunch of guys back from injuries, which puts them in a good spot. There are some guys playing some great volleyball over there. They’re a good team and we knew it was going to be a battle. It was a battle tonight and it probably will be again tomorrow.”
 
Leading the way for UBC was Coltyn Liu, with 17 kills and two aces. Michael Dowhaniuk hit the top three in all five stat lines with eight kills, one ace, one block, four assists, and five digs.

 
Saskatchewan was led by Dylan Mortensen with 17 kills, two aces, two blocks and five digs.
 
“This is a pretty cool environment to play in – stands were packed and the crowd was loud. It’s what you should expect out of Canada West playoff volleyball, especially this match up, the four/five,” said Hawkins.
 
Game two of the Canada West Quarter Final between these two teams is scheduled for Saturday, February 25 at 5:00 PM PST. Game can be streamed live on CanadaWest.TV.