SASKATOON, Sask. - The No. 2 ranked UBC Thunderbirds made quick work of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-17) defeat Friday night in Saskatoon.
With the win the Thunderbirds move to 4-1 on the season, while the Huskies drop to 1-4.
"We settled down as a team after a weird start to the match that saw many missed serves and unforced errors on both sides," said UBC head coach
Doug Reimer. "Overall we were pleased with our blocking especially on the rightside with Rosie and Brina. Jessica had a very effective and efficient night offensively with eight kills on eight attempts."
Saskatchewan matched UBC point-for-point throughout the first set. It wasn't until a service error put the T-Birds ahead 10-9, that UBC was able to find a stride and breakaway. T-Bird captain
Shanice Marcelle (Victoria, BC) and
Jessica von Schilling (Victoria, BC) dominated through the remainder of the set combining for seven kills to close out the set 25-14.
UBC pulled ahead in the second set and was led by strong serving by
Brina Derksen-Bergen (Abbotsford, BC) and von Schilling. At 7-6, a Derksen-Bergen attack down the middle gave the serve back to the T-Birds and a quick 25-14 victory.
The T-Birds scored six straight points on a
Lisa Barclay (Brandon, MB) service run to open the third set. Although Saskatchewan had shining moments including seven kills from Carmen Dubnick and Candace Hueser, the early lead by the T-Birds was too much for the Huskies to overcome.
Marcelle and von Schilling led the T-Birds in the match each recording eight kills. Derksen-Bergen tallied eight digs. UBC recorded an attack percentage of .455 on the night.
Second-year middle blocker Kayla Tycholiz led the Huskies with seven kills, while libero Haley Williams recorded seven digs.
The two teams will battle again Saturday. Match time is 4:15 p.m. Pacific.
"We anticipate that Saskatchewan will come at us with more tomorrow but I think we will ready to compete," Reimer said.
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