WVB: Huskies Handle Cougars in Three

SASKTOON – In a rematch of Friday night’s thriller, the Saskatchewan Huskies were back in action taking on the Regina Cougars this evening. The Huskies rolled to a three-set victory over the visiting Cougars to win their leg of the U-Prairie Challenge.
 
The first set saw the Huskies go up 11-4 early before Regina climbed back up to get within one at 13-12 Huskies. The Dogs would then score four straight points, forcing Lee Hamilton, Regina’s Interim Head Coach, to call a timeout. The Cougars were unable to slow down the Huskies as they dominated to a 25-14 set win.
 
The second set saw Regina with an early 5-1 lead before the Huskies nabbed five points in a row to force an early timeout from Hamilton. The Cougars would respond by scoring four points straight out of the timeout. The Huskies answered with seven straight points to take the lead 14-10. Regina battled to stay in it but ultimately the Huskies were able to take down the Cougars 25-19 to go up 2-0.
 
The third set saw the Cougars fighting to force a fourth as it went back and forth. Regina again jumped out to an early lead at 8-4 but the Huskies offense would respond, tying the set at 11-11. Back and forth it went until it was 22-22 when the Huskies the game to rest, scoring three straight to win it 25-22. The Huskies would sweep this one in straight sets. 
 
Bailey Balaberda led the Cougars in kills for the second night in a row with seven, with Regina’s Annika Hufnagel leading the team in assists with 22. The Huskies were led by Olivia Mattern’s nine kills and Averie Allard’s 22 assist. 

The U-Prairie Challenge presented by SaskMilk is a celebration of varsity sport in Saskatchewan. The annual points-based competition between the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan involves 11 different men’s and women’s events, including soccer, football, hockey, volleyball, basketball, track and field, and cross country.

The Huskies head back to British Columbia next weekend to take on the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack at 7:30 PM Friday and 5:00 PM Saturday. Live stream of the match is available on CanadaWest.TV.