SASKATOON, SK – The Huskies were back at the PAC to take on the visiting Manitoba Bisons. It was the Bisons who would rally back after struggling early in the game to defeat the Huskies in five sets.
Fans could not have asked for a better start to the match than the first set. Rookie Abbey Klien was on fire, picking up kills on three of the first four points with the Huskies going up 4-0 before an early Manitoba timeout. The Bisons picked it up out of the timeout, grabbing the next two points. Saskatchewan would keep things rolling, going up 12-6 before Manitoba used their second timeout. Despite battling back to make it 23-23, the Bisons comeback attempt fell short as the Huskies won the set 25-23.
The second set saw the Bisons storm out of the gates going up 6-1 before Huskies’ coach Mark Dodds tried to limit the damage with a timeout. Dodds pulled the right string as the Huskies found a groove, heading to a 12-11 lead before Manitoba took a timeout themselves. It was the Bisons who would find a rhythm later in the set, with four straight points to go up 17-15. Manitoba would lead the rest of the way in the face of a strong Huskies counterattack to take the set 25-20.
The third set saw Manitoba strike off three runs early in the set to take a 12-8 lead. With the Huskies trailing by five, Coahc Dodds used another timeout, creating some magic for the Huskies, who rallied back to tie it at 18. The Huskies would finish the set strong winning 25-23 to take a 2-1 lead in the game.
The fourth set was all Manitoba right from the first serve. The Dogs got it within four points at 9-5, but that would be the closest they would get as the visiting Bisons ran away with the set 25-15 to force a fifth and final set.
The final frame saw Manitoba jump out to a quick 4-2 lead. The Huskies would bend going down 12-6 later in the set, but they would not break storming back to make it 12-11 Bisons. The comeback would prove to be a bit too late, as Manitoba would take the final set 15-13, winning the match 3-2.
Huskie veterans Mandi Fraser and Olivia Mattern chipped in with nine and 13 kills respectively, while rookie Abbey Klien would power the offence with 20 kills on the night. Setter Averie Allard had 40 assists while libero Jessica Andjelic had 29 digs for the Huskies. The Bisons shared the wealth with four players recording double digit kills from Ella Gray, Light Uchechukwu, Eve Catolo and Raya Surnix. Surnix would have 21 kills on the night to lead the way. Setter Katreena Bentley had 44 assists on the night.
Saskatchewan and Manitoba will be back in action tomorrow afternoon at the PAC at 3:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at Huskietickets.com.