WVB: Cougars defeat Huskies, clinching position for next round of playoffs

SASKATOON, SASK. — The Mount Royal Cougars women’s volleyball team came out firing early and often, en route to a straight-set victory over the Saskatchewan Huskies, winning 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-21) at the Physical Activity Complex. 

The Cougars closed the opening round of the playoffs in style with the win, as they improved their weekend record to 3-0, punching their ticket to next weekend’s second round of the Canada West playoff team.

“Our girls played a great game, so we’re really happy with it,” said Cougars head coach Shane Smith

Madison Marshall led the way for Mount Royal with 13 kills and three service aces, while Quinn Pelland had a game-high 32 assists.

“That’s a really good team and that’s what we’ve been preparing for all year long. They’re going to be good enough to beat everybody in the country if they keep playing like that,” said Dodds.

“We knew there would be a challenge today and they have some really great players,” said Smith. “Our message was just to stick with it, play one point at a time and I think we did that. It was tough in the end of that third set and I think we really stayed in the moment and played every point. We came out on top, so we’re happy with that.”

On the other side, the loss spells an end to the Saskatchewan season.

“There’s only going to be one team at the end of the year that’s going to be truly satisfied with their season — that’s just sports,” said Dodds. “Unfortunately, we ended earlier than we wanted to, but this group has put Huskies volleyball back on the map.”

“There’s going to be big things moving forward and definitely a bright future, but right now everyone’s a little bit crushed.”

In what was her final game of her illustrious Huskies career, Emily Koshinsky tallied 15 kills and three service aces. Seven of the fifth-year outside hitters came in the third and final set as Saskatchewan hung around and battled, as they attempted to continue the match — but ultimately felt short in a back-and-forth frame.

“To be able to hang with them and battle with them showed what kind of team we are. On a different day, maybe the outcome is a different one,” said Dodds.

It was a loud atmosphere inside the PAC, as 891 fans came out to support the Huskies in what proved to be their final game on home court of the 2021-22 campaign. 

“They will never forget that. Win, lose, or draw to play in front of a crowd like that — they’re going to talk about that in 30 years. Huskie country, thank you,” said Dodds.

“We really appreciate this environment. The fans were great. and gave us a tough time. They gave us a hard time, but that’s the fun part of playing in some of these schools in Canada West — it was a lot of fun for us,” said Smith.

While Saskatchewan’s season ends, the Cougars continues. They  — along with the UBCO Heat — punch their tickets to the next round of the Canada West playoffs, which continues next Friday night.

“We’ll have to get back to work,” said Smith. “We’re not sure where we’ll be or who we’ll be facing, but it just gets tougher — we’re excited for the challenge.”

All the playoff action can be seen — as always — on CanadaWest.TV presented by Co-op