EDMONTON – For the second time in as many days the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men's volleyball team controlled the proceedings from beginning to end in a 3-0 (25-17, 26-24, 25-15) win over the MacEwan Griffins in Edmonton, AB.

It was as if that second set was the only true moment the Griffins had a chance to make some noise in the match. They were never really in Sets 1 or 3, so letting their best chance of the match slip away in Set 2 was too devastating to overcome.

Saskatchewan head coach Nathan Bennett noted his team's ability to close out Set 2 was a big takeaway for a team that wasn't as composed in two losses at Brandon in the opening weekend of the Canada West season.

"Today, especially, I liked the second set," he said. "Getting into that 23-23 score-line and how they emotionally were able to be confident and calm. I think that was important, where in Brandon we were all over the map like a roller-coaster ride.

"I thought that was a good moment for us to build off of, for sure."

With the result, the Huskies move back to .500 at 2-2, while the Griffins fall to 2-4 with their fourth-straight loss.

As for why Saskatchewan dominated on Saturday, there's a bit of evidence on either side. The Huskies had more digs, more blocks, more kills and a sizzling .320 efficiency. The Griffins, meanwhile, posted the kind of hitting percentage that keeps coaches up at night – a nightmare .084.

Saskatchewan had great success running quick hits in the middle again – none better than a play late in the first set when setter CJ Gavlas contorted his body sideways in the air and sent a rocket set to the middle that hit Sinoski in perfect mid-flight for a kill that landed on the floor practically before the Griffins moved.

"As long as they're on time, he can find them," said Bennett. "That was a great connection. That was an all-world play, so I was pretty happy to watch that."

Gavlas had 29 assists, leading to 10 kills each from Dylan Mortensen and Colin Fraser, while Sinoski had seven on an unstoppable .636 efficiency, adding four blocks. Gavlas also had four blocks as the Huskies seemed to know where the Griffins were going most of the time.

"We were working on the technique of our block and I think it's starting to get there," said Bennett. "In this league, it's a real physical league – every team across the board – but if we're able to be just as physical at the net when we block, I think it helps our defence out.

"Our guys did a good job of putting their hands in the right spots and we were fortunate today."

The Griffins, meanwhile, were led offensively by Kai Hesthammer (nine kills) and defensively by Max Vriend (four blocks). 

Both teams are in action next weekend with the MacEwan visiting cross-town Edmonton rival Alberta on Nov. 9-10 with the Huskies hosting the Calgary Dinos on the same dates.