WVB: Huskies no match for top-ranked Thunderbirds

SASKATOON, SK – In their final match-up at home, the Saskatchewan Huskies would find themselves no match for the U Sports and Canada West top-ranked UBC Thunderbirds, falling in a quick three-set match Friday evening at the Physical Activity Complex. 
 

THE HIGHLIGHTS

• The Thunderbirds would take the lead early over the Huskies, but the Huskies would not be far behind. A kill by Keely Anderson, followed immediately by a service ace also from Anderson, would bring the Huskies within two (6-8).

• UBC would continue to lead the set; a couple of kills and two service aces from Akash Grewal would extend their lead, eventually closing out the set 25-17 with a kill from Mackenzie Campbell.

• The Thunderbirds would take advantage of their gained momentum at the end of the first set to open the second, finding themselves an 8-1 lead over the Huskies. 

• The Huskies would end the Thunderbird’s point streak with a kill from third-year Rosetta Cyr. The Huskies would proceed to bring the score back within three and shortly within one (10-11), but UBC would regain their rhythm and re-establish a clear point difference. 

• Elizabeth Lee would close out the set for the Thunderbirds with a kill and put the Thunderbirds up 2-0 in the match.

• UBC would once again be the first to score, opening the third set with a kill executed by Claire Cossarini. 

• Keely Anderson would get the Huskies on the board, getting the ball past UBC blockers (1-4). The Huskies would eventually bring themselves within one following a service ace from Olivia Mattern (10-11)

• The Thunderbirds, though, would take hold of the set from there, the Huskies earning only three more points for the remainder of the set, two off of Thunderbird errors and a final service error putting the Thunderbirds at 25, concluding the set as well as the match.
   

THE STATS

• The Thunderbirds would outscore the Huskies 58-29.

• UBC’s Lucy Borowski would lead the match, and the Thunderbirds in kills with 11. Keely Anderson would lead the Huskies with 8.

• The Thunderbirds would have a team total of 14 service aces, led by Akash Grewal. The Huskies would only be able to get 4 serves past the Thunderbird’s passers.

• Both teams would put up three blocks.
   

THE STANDINGS
The Huskies came into the weekend match-up with a record of 8-12, the loss shifting them to 8-13. The Thunderbirds are currently the top-ranked team in both U Sports and Canada West, the win putting their record at 19-2 on the season.

THE NEXT ONE
The two teams will return to Ron & Jane Graham Centre Court at the Physical Activity Complex at 3:00 PM on Saturday for an afternoon match-up to conclude the weekend series. Tickets are available at HuskieTickets.com, and fans unable to attend can catch the action live on CanadaWest.TV.