SASKATOON - For the second time in as many years, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men's volleyball team has upset the ranked UBC Thunderbirds at the PAC in Saskatoon. This time the win came 3-0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-13). Last season, the Huskies upset the T-Birds 3-2 (33-35, 25-20, 25-18, 16-25, 15-12).
Outside hitters Jarret Christenson and Alwyn Piche led the Huskies with 11 kills each. UBC's
Demijan Savija had a match high 12 kills. Huskie libero Daniel Quintal had eight digs, while
Blair Bann had six for the T-Birds.
"It's a tough one right now," said UBC head coach
Richard Schick. "Saskatchewan played very well, so kudos to them for a strong performance, but we have to play better as a unit. We had some stretches on serve receive that weren't good at all. We came into the weekend having to leave a couple guys at home due to injury and illness but that wasn't where we struggled tonight. We have to find a way to regroup and come out fighting tomorrow against a very tough opponent."
The No. 10 ranked Thunderbirds and Saskatchewan were matched point-for-point in the first set of the night. UBC was up 10-8 until Piche led the Huskies to seven straight points on service aces and kills for a 15-10 lead. After two T-Bird points, Saskatchewan went on another scoring run this time six points for a 21-12 lead. A
Charlie Stewart serve that went just out of bounds ended the set 25-16.
The second set started similar to the first with the two teams battling point for point. Saskatchewan was able to gain a small lead at the 13 point mark. Ben Bourgeois had a five service run in the span and Christenson and rookie Matt Busse led the attacks. UBC worked their way back into the set pulling back within two points at 22-20 but Piche led the way for the Huskies bringing them to set point. Savija's attack on set point fell just out side the back line to give the Huskies the 25-23 win.
The Huskies took a quick lead in the third set but allowed the T-Birds to get back in the game at 9-8 when
Tanner Kozak's attack couldn't be dug up. It was all Huskies from then on, however, as they ran to a 16-8 lead before winning the third and final set 25-13.
The two teams will meet against Saturday at the PAC. Game time is 8 p.m.
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