WVB: Heat Overpower the Huskies in Four Sets

KELOWNA, BC – The Saskatchewan Huskies women’s volleyball team was back in action on Saturday afternoon against the UBC Okanagan Heat. Looking to capitalize on a three set win over the Heat on Friday, the Huskies looked to head back to Saskatoon with the weekend sweep.  
 
A very different UBC Okanagan would take the court and the Huskies were not able to find a way to counteract their offensive prowess and lost in four sets (10-25, 25-23, 18-25, 15-25). 
 
THE HIGHLIGHTS 

• The Heat opened the match with two kills from Amaya Perry and Madison Gardner to set the tone. Hitting and serving cost the Huskies and elevated the Heat lead to 7-3. A massive swing from Saskatchewan’s Taryn Hannah broke the Heat’s streak, but some incredible serving from Abigail Dueck and Perry would be too much to overcome for the Huskies, who dropped the first set 10-25. 
• The second was more evenly matched, with points being traded throughout the majority of the set. Keely Anderson found a serving streak midway through the set to keep Saskatchewan competitive, but UBC Okanagan’s Natalie Funk had a massive block and kill to swing momentum their way. Anderson would put up a big kill to push to game point, and the Huskies 25-23 win.  
• UBC Okanagan ran out to a quick 10-7 lead in the third set, before some incredible blocks from Tymkiw and Garner would stifle the Huskies even further. A service ace from Julia Howell Bourner broke the Heat’s streak at 11-17 Huskies. Saskatchewan rallied last minute with four great serves from Tielle Hagel but the deficit was too much with the Heat winning the third 25-18. 
• Funk started the fourth set with a service ace, that propelled the Heat to a seven point streak. Saskatchewan took both of their timeouts in the first six points of the game to cool down the Heat. They were unsuccessful, as they continued to overpower the Huskies, winning the fourth set 25-15.   

THE STATS 

• Keely Anderson again led the Huskies offence, with 12 kills, 12 digs and an ace.
• Setter Sophia Magus had 18 assists and seven digs for the Huskies. UBC Okanagan’s Abigail Dueck led with 37 assists and six digs for the Heat.  
•  The Heat took the lead in service aces, hitting eight compared to the Huskies four. 

THE STANDINGS 
Following the Saturday win, the Saskatchewan Huskies move to a 5-3 record and are tied for fourth in Canada West. The Heat move to an even 4-4 record and eight spot in the Canada West standings.  
 
THE NEXT ONE 
It’s back to British Columbia next weekend as the Saskatchewan Huskies head to Langley to take on the Trinity Western Spartans on November 24 & 25. The Huskies will hit the court on Friday at 7:00 PM CST and Saturday at 6:00 CST. Tune into the action live on live on CanadaWest.TV.