Saskatoon, SK - The Saskatchewan Huskies and UBC Thunderbirds closed out their weekend series in dramatic fashion Saturday (Jan. 10) at the Physical Activity Complex, as Saskatchewan erased a two-set deficit to claim a 3-2 victory and secure a series split between the Canada West rivals.
 
After UBC controlled much of the opening half of the match, Saskatchewan responded with increased defensive pressure and offensive efficiency, winning three straight sets to complete the reverse sweep in front of a lively home crowd.
 
UBC jumped out early behind a balanced attack, taking the first two sets 25-15 and 25-20 while controlling the pace of play and capitalizing on transition opportunities. Kylee Glanville led the Thunderbird's offense throughout the match finishing with 22 kills, while Lucy Borowski added 13 as UBC built a 2-0 advantage. Issy Robertshaw recorded two of the T-Birds five total aces on the afternoon while adding a match high 43 assists.
 
Saskatchewan found its footing in the third set, tightening up defensively and generating more consistency at the net. The Huskies edged out a 25-23 win to stay alive, using a late run to swing momentum back in their favour.
 
That momentum carried into the fourth set, where Saskatchewan was clearly in rhythm. The Huskies hit efficiently and applied steady pressure from the service line, rolling to a 25-13 win to force a decisive fifth set.
 
The final frame was fittingly tense. The teams traded points deep into the set before Saskatchewan pulled ahead late, closing out the reverse sweep with a 15-13 victory.
 
Abbey Klein paced the Huskies with 18 kills on .455 hitting, while Rosetta Cyr added 12 kills and three service aces. Setter Tielle Hagel directed the offense with 39 assists, helping Saskatchewan finish with six service aces and six total blocks on the afternoon.
 
UBC remained dangerous throughout the match, recording 61 kills and strong contributions across the lineup, but Saskatchewan's efficiency in the final two sets (including a .500 hitting percentage in the fifth) proved to be the difference.
 
With the win, the Huskies and Thunderbirds wrapped up the weekend with a series split, each earning one victory. The T-Birds will next return home to host the MacEwan Griffins for back-to-back matchups beginning Friday January, 16^th at 5:30 p.m. PT. You can catch all the action on Canada West TV.