Thunderbird offence enough to dispatch Bears 3-1 to take conference lead

EDMONTON – Second-year Gavin Moes led the way for the Thunderbirds with 13 kills in a 3-1 (20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-20) victory over the Alberta Golden Bears Saturday evening at the Saville Centre.

The win vaults the Thunderbirds (12-4) into sole possession of first in the Canada West conference. Moes was joined in the effort by Conaire Taub and Reeve Gingera who had 11 and 10 kills respectively.

The Bears drop to 11-5, and now sit in second place in the conference. Liam Espedido led the game in kills with 16, and he was joined by Issac Heslinga with 14 for the Bears offensive standouts.

After the Bears won the first set handily the Thunderbirds were able to settle in and win the next three to take the game. It was a high-emotion affair, with both benches receiving yellow cards midway through the third set.

The Thunderbirds return home to face the Manitoba Bison next weekend, while the Golden Bears stay home to face the Calgary Dinos.