SASKATOON – Dominating the latter portion of play in three of four sets, the Grant MacEwan University Griffins started their 2020 slate of Canada West games off with a 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 25-22) victory over the Saskatchewan Huskies on Friday night in Saskatoon.
The difference in the contest was the composure MacEwan showed as the sets wore on. On three separate occasions the teams were tied at the technical timeout, only for the Griffins to pull away late to record the victory.
Hailey Cornelis, Haley Gilfillan, Mckenna Stevenson and Lauren Holmes all reached double digits in kills for the visitors, putting up 17, 16, 13 and 11 respectively. Kylie Schubert was outstanding directing play for MacEwan with 53 assists in the contest.
Emily Koshinsky had a team-high 14 kills for Saskatchewan with
Mandi Fraser and
Olivia Mattern each chipping in with 13 apiece.
The win was an important one for MacEwan as the Griffins take over sole possession of fourth place in the conference with a record of 9-4, Saskatchewan meanwhile falls to 8-5 on the year.
Finishing on 17 of their 38 attacks in the first set, MacEwan took over with the score tied 19-19. Gilfillan had two big kills and a set-clinching block to give the Griffins a 25-21 set victory.
After some dominant play from Koshinsky and Fraser gave the Huskies what looked to be a commanding lead at 18-15 in the second set, the Griffins stormed back. Lauren Holmes was on the line for five-straight points, sending the Griffins to the 25-20 victory.
In the fourth set it was Saskatchewan's turn to fight back. Trailing 20-17 the Huskies were able to stave off the sweep thanks in large part to Fraser. The second-year middle recorded five of her team's next eight points including the set-clinching kill.
The comeback wasn't to be however as the Griffins closed things out in the fourth. Gilfillan had six kills and the Griffins recorded three aces en route to the 25-22 victory.
These two teams will be back in action tomorrow afternoon in the PAC, with the opening serve slated for 3 p.m.
