SASKTOON, SK – It was the Saskatchewan Huskies final home game of the season on Saturday afternoon at the PAC against the Calgary Dinos. The Huskies were coming in high off a big five set victory from the night before and were looking to make it four wins in a row during their late season post season push. The Dinos were at the top of their game Saturday afternoon however, and took the win in three sets (19-25, 26-28, 20-25).
The first set saw both teams come out ready to play, tied up through the first 24 points at 12-12. Calgary would go on their first roll of the night, going up 18-14 before a Saskatchewan timeout. The Dinos would continue to swing at it, coming out of the timeout and taking three straight points before another Huskie timeout. Trailing by eight, the Huskies would get it to within four but were unable to take the lead, dropping the first set 19-25.
The second set went to a quick tie at 9-9 but this time the Huskies were able to take the lead, going up 16-13. With Saskatchewan leading 19-17, Calgary took a timeout and responded in a big way, taking seven straight points to lead 24-19. Saskatchewan would claw their way back to way back to tie it back 24-24. The Huskies pushed through to extra points but the Dinos came out on top, taking the second set 28-26.
The third set was a must win for the Huskies, but Calgary coming out firing, going up 14-8 before a Saskatchewan timeout. Trailing 20-12, the Huskies would again battle back to get within four points. A Dinos timeout would help them re-establish the lead at 23-16. Saskatchewan fought back to get it to 24-20 but ultimately, the Dinos offence was too much and they took the third and final set 25-20.
KEY PERFORMANCES Caet McCorkell, Mandi Fraser and Devyn Either, all recorded six kills on the night. Calgary’s Daisy Olsen had 11 kills, while Alice Nikolaychuk had 10 of her own.
GRADUATING PLAYERS
The Huskies took time after the game to celebrate their four graduating players.
Jessica Andjelic, the 5’6″ libero out of St. Andrews, MB played two seasons for the Winnipeg Wesmen before transferring to USask. Andjelic has racked up 567 digs so far in here Canada West career.
Averie Allard, the setter out of Winnipeg, MB, has been the heartbeat for the team this season, coming off a summer spent with the Canadian National Next Gen program. Allard has been the leader for the Huskies pushing for the playoffs. Allard will be forgoing her fifth year of eligibility and looking to turn pro and head to Europe next season.
Caet McCorkell, the outside hitter from Kamloops, BC played two years for Douglas College before transferring the Saskatchewan. McCorkell has racked up 150 kills and 189 digs during her three years with the Huskies.
Hannah Toews came to the Huskies from Regina, SK. Toews has played in 44 matches, recording 28 kills, 8 aces and 96 digs as a Huskie.
NEXT UP
The Huskies will have to do some scoreboard watching to do, and wilt be in need of at least one win next weekend to keep the Huskies playoff hopes alive. The Huskies will be in the Manitoba capital taking on the Winnipeg Wesmen in the final weekend of the regular season at 6:00 PM Friday and 6:45 PM Saturday. The match can be watched live at CanadaWest.TV.