VB: SSK hitter, MAN setter catch fire as CW season heats up

CALGARY – Saskatchewan’s Dylan Mortensen and Manitoba’s Katreena Bentley were named the Canada West Volleyball Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday.

This marks Mortensen’s third selection this season as the outside hitter has been absolutely electric. This weekend was no exception.

Mortensen led his Saskatchewan Huskies to a weekend sweep of the defending CW champs, the Trinity Western Spartans, in front of a home crowd in Saskatoon. The Spartans were ranked fourth in the country in last week’s top ten released by U SPORTS.

Mortensen helped his Huskies push past them in the conference standings with an explosive performance both nights. On Friday, the fifth-year drilled the Spartans with 16 kills, converting on .353 of his attempts. He was equally impressive on defence, showing up with three blocks and eight digs in the five-set come-from-behind victory.

Mortensen, with the intensity of the moment on his shoulders in the fifth set, laid down a confident ace to give his Huskies the 16-14 win.

The Spartans continued to struggle to find answers for the outside hitter Saturday, as he reared back with another 16 kills, working even more efficiently at a rate of .407. His eight blocks were crucial, two coming on the final two points as he again played hero at the crux of the game.

Mortensen and the Huskies are now getting ready to host Manitoba on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and 5 p.m. CST respectively. You can catch the action exclusively on Canada West TV.

Game log:
Jan. 13: 16K (.353), 2 SA, 3 blocks, 8 digs, 20 points in 3-2 W vs TWU
Jan. 14: 16K (.407), 1 SA, 8 blocks, 2 digs, 22 points in 3-2 W vs TWU

Meanwhile, Katreena Bentley led her Bisons to a monster weekend that saw them push up the standings to sit among the top teams in the conference. Bentley was stellar on both sides of the ball, putting up an impressive 46 assists and 10 digs in Friday’s four-set win over the Alberta Pandas.

She also sailed in two service aces to help the Bisons take three consecutive sets after dropping the first to the Pandas.

Bentley led an even offence, showing her intelligence in the game while stretching her lead on the CW assist leaderboard.

On Saturday, she helped the Bisons distance themselves from the middle of the pack with a dominant 3-0 win over the Pandas. The second-year setter showed senior maturity, leading her team through tense moments to capture the sweep. Bentley bested her Friday performance with 12.3 kills per set. She also posted another two service aces, four digs and a kill.

She and the Bisons will be back in action Friday and Saturday as they travel to Saskatoon to take on the Saskatchewan Huskies at 6:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. CST respectively. You can catch the action exclusively on Canada West TV.

Game log:
Jan. 13: 46 assists, 2 SA, 1 BA, 10 digs in 3-1 W vs ALB
Jan. 14: 37 assists, 2 SA, 2 BA, 4 digs 1 K (.500) in 3-0 W vs ALB