SASKATOON, SK – Despite standout performances from fifth-years Devyn Eithier and Julia Sprentz, the Saskatchewan Huskies would once again fall to the top-ranked Thunderbirds in straight sets late Saturday afternoon, concluding their final weekend at home.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
The Huskies came into today’s match swinging and swinging hard, but the Thunderbirds would put up big blocks, shutting down the Huskies and taking the early lead in set one.
Julia Sprentz would put down a vast kill to keep the Huskies in the set, bringing them to 17, the Thunderbirds with 21.
UBC would conclude the first set following a Sask time-out with a kill from Kylee Glanville (25-17).
The Thunderbirds would find themselves a 7-point lead over the Huskies to open set two, led by Lucy Borowski and Erica Vermette. A UBC service error would get the Huskie on the board.
Erica Vermette would win the serve back for the Thunderbirds, but Devyn Eitheir would shut them down quickly with a big swing past UBC’s blockers for the point. The Huskie would go on a brief point run before the Thunderbirds regained control of the set.
The Thunderbirds would increase their match lead to 2 following a kill by Elizabeth Lee.
The Huskies would once again go scoreless for the first five points before starting their point tally off a UBC error.
Trinity Soleski would record three consecutive service aces to put the Thunderbirds up 10-4. Service errors would quickly add up for both teams throughout the remainder of the third set.
As the Thunderbirds reached 20, Olivia Mattern would record a kill, keeping the Huskies’ hopes alive(12-20). Still, the Thunderbirds would take the match from there, recording 5 straight points, including 4 kills by Kylee Glanville and a service ace by Jocelyn Lenarcic.
THE STATS
The Thunderbirds would outscore the Huskies 75-45.
UBC’s Kylee Glanville would lead the match, and the Thunderbirds in kills with 8. UBC would outswing the Huskies 40-15.
The Thunderbirds would have a team total of 10 service aces, led by Trinity Soleski. The Huskies would only be able to get 3 serves past the Thunderbird’s passers.
The Huskies would lead in blocks, putting up 8 total team blocks, the Thunderbirds following with 6.
THE STANDINGS
The Huskies came into the weekend match-up with a record of 8-12, the weekend losses shifting them to 8-14. The Thunderbirds are currently the top-ranked team in both U Sports and Canada West, the win putting their record at 20-2 on the season.
THE EXTRAS
This year, the Huskie women’s volleyball team celebrated five fifth-year players: Devyn Eithier, Olivia Mattern, Julia Sprentz, Jolene Sibley, and Mandi Fraser. The Thunderbirds would also have five fifth-year players: Claire Cossarini, Kacey Jost, Dani Price, Victoria Dacre, and Erica Vermette.
Following the match, the Huskies congratulated and recognized these players and their successes and commitment to their respective teams over the years.
THE NEXT ONE
The Huskies will take to the road this coming weekend on February 16 and 17, closing out their regular season in Winnipeg against the Manitoba Bisons at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. The game will be streamed live on CanadaWest.TV.
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