VB: MRU duo villainize provincial rival

CALGARY – Mount Royal’s Chris Byam and Quinn Pelland were named the Canada West Volleyball Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday.

Byam was a man possessed Friday evening in Edmonton, a kryptonite to the country’s top team in the Alberta Golden Bears. Byam far outpaced all hitters on the floor with 23 kills. He converted on .321 of his attempts against a team that limits hitters to an average of .190.

The third-year was the central figure in ending the Golden Bears’ 19-game win streak and handing them just their second loss of the season. Byam was otherworldly, helping on defence with 12 digs to post 24.5 points in a bounce-back five-set win. After dropping the first two, Byam pushed the Cougars to perfection in the last three. He put an exclamation mark on the game, slamming down three kills and popping up an assist down the stretch in the deciding set.

The Bow Island, AB product returned Saturday with 10 kills, three blocks, a service ace, and five digs but his efforts were not enough to topple Alberta.

Byam and the Cougars will be back in action Friday and Saturday when they host the Brandon Bobcats Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. MST respectively. You can catch the games exclusively on Canada West TV.

Game log:
Feb. 3: 23K (.321), 2blks, 12 digs, 24.5 points in 3-2 W at ALB
Feb. 4: 10K (.200), 1SA, 3 blks, 5 digs, 11 points in 3-1 W at ALB

Meanwhile, Quinn Pelland was all over the floor this past weekend, showing up big on both the offensive and defensive sides. The Mount Royal setter moved around the floor with expertise, setting up a balanced attack that took down the Alberta Pandas in convincing fashion.

The fifth-year Wanham, AB product showed her prowess in her position, leading a coordinated charge in enemy territory. She put up 27 assists and 13 digs Friday evening to make quick work of the Pandas. The straight-sets win put the Cougars’ win streak to six as they make waves at a critical point in the season.

Pelland was in the zone Saturday, setting up her teammates with ease. She posted an outstanding 50 assists and 19 digs in just four sets to take a weekend sweep on the road.

The victories moved the Cougars into sole possession of third place in the conference as the fight for postseason positioning wages on with just two regular season weekends left.

Pelland now sits third in the conference in assists per set with 9.54.

She and the Cougars will be back in action Friday and Saturday when they host the Brandon Bobcats at 8 p.m. and 5 p.m. MST respectively. You can catch the action exclusively on Canada West TV.

Game log:
Feb. 3: 27 assists, 13 digs in 3-0 W at ALB
Feb. 4: 50 assists, 19 digs in 3-1 W at ALB