EDMONTON – Lauryn Tremblay had a game-high 17 kills to help the Pandas dispatch the MacEwan Griffins in straight sets (25-17, 28-26, 25-18) Saturday evening at the Saville Centre.
The weekend sweep puts the Pandas nearing .500 at 8-10. Tremblay, who ranks second in the CW in kills-per-set was aided by setter Justine Kolody who had 36 assists as the orchestrator of a great offensive team effort.
MacEwan drops to 2-16, but had some good showings in the main gym on the weekend including from Mariah Bereziuk, who led the team in kills in both games.
The Pandas continued from where they left off in last night’s contest, utilizing a strong attack and effective block line to build a large lead to start the first set. They got out to a 12-5 lead, helped by a .778 hitting percentage and the strong play of rookie Laila Johnston who had four kills in the stretch. After a Griffins timeout, it was all Alberta. They won the set 25-17, and hit .391% on attack. Fourth-year outside hitter Tremblay led all players with seven kills.
MacEwan, behind team leader in kills Bereziuk, got off to a hot start in the second set building a 7-4 lead. Tremblay helped the Pandas inch back, however, as they took a late set lead and set up an exciting finish. After a 21-21 deadlock, the teams would trade points to push it into extras in which Tremblay recorded a kill and an important block to lead the hosts to a 28-26 win.
Alberta maintained their momentum in the third set, getting out to an early 12-6 lead behind the great play of Johnston, and a couple of service aces. While it was the best set hitting percentage wise for the Griffins, marking an efficient .360, it was not enough as Alberta took the set and game, 25-18.
Both teams get a bye for the last weekend in January and will return to action in February.
Before the game, a beautiful ceremony was held in honour of former Golden Bears and Pandas assistant coach Mike Noble. His time with Alberta numbered three decades, and his mark on the volleyball program is immeasureably felt.
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