EDMONTON – After a dropped first set, the U SPORTS No. 3 ranked Mount Royal Cougars stormed back in convincing fashion for a 3-1 win over the Alberta Pandas on Saturday night at Saville Community Sports Centre.
The win gives MRU the weekend sweep, and marks the third-straight win for the Cougars over their provincial foe.
Even dropping the opening set, the Cougars (15-5) were excellent on attack throughout Saturday’s match, scoring 60 kills to the Pandas 38. MRU also added nine aces and 56 digs in a well-rounded performance.
Haley Roe led the Cougars with 16, as Nyadholi Thokbuom added 15 and Emma Boyd 10. Fifth-year Cougar Quinn Pelland was brilliant, finishing with game-highs in both assists (50) and digs (19).
Mount Royal out-killed Alberta 18-10 in the opening set, but kept the Pandas alive with seven attack and three service errors. The Pandas were also led by five blocks, three of which came from Allie Moore.
Tremblay and Johnston combined for eight of the Pandas 10 kills in the first.
After five kills in the first, Thokbuom started to take over the match, adding another five in the second. Her play was the catalyst for a Cougars offence that finished with 16 kills in the second set alone, as they earned a 25-17 win.
Roe was next in line as the Cougar to take over a set, as she ripped home five kills in the third. Johnston had seven of the Pandas 12 kills in the third, keeping the set close despite Tremblay earning zero kills on nine attempts, adding four errors.
The depth and talent of MRU was evident in the fourth, as they cruised to a 25-17 win.
Alberta will aim to keep their playoff hopes alive next weekend, when they visit the 2-18 Regina Cougars. MRU will return to Calgary for a weekend set against the winless Brandon Bobcats.