SASKATOON, SK – The Saskatchewan Huskies took on the UBCO Heat in the final game of 2022 here in the Paris of the Prairies.
The first set saw both teams playing well coming out of the gates with both teams tied at eight. The Huskies would go on a run to go up 18-10 before a UBCO timeout. The timeout seemed to spark the UBCO offence as they would push the game to 22-18 Saskatchewan. Huskies Head Coach
Sean McKay had seen enough from his Huskies squad and called a timeout, settling down the team and leading them to a 25-19 win in the first set.
Set two saw two evenly matched teams as both offences were putting points on the board. The Huskies were able to gain a slight advantage going up two points 19-17 before UBCO called a timeout to try and stay in it. The Dogs would take the next two points before UBCO Head Coach Brad Hudson took another timeout trailing 21-17 to try and swing momentum. The Huskies would not be swayed, taking the second set 25-20 and the 2-0 lead.
For the second night in a row, it was UBCO in must win territory heading into the third set. Huskies were up by one when
Quinn Buchanan had a beauty of an ace, followed by a massive solo block from
Jack McGeough that forced the UBCO timeout. The Heat would continue to fight but it was the Huskies lead the way 22-18 when Brad Hudson used his final timeout to try to find something within the UBCO team to force a fourth set and avoid the six-set weekend sweep. The Huskies were relentless didn't quit, taking the third set 25-18.
The Huskies were led by the fifth-year
Dylan Mortensen who had 16 kills. Mortensen has been making the most of his final season. Fifth year Jacob Rapin had 34 assists, and Renn Petryk again lead UBCO and finished the afternoon with eight kills.
Head Coach
Sean McKay was happy with veteran
Levi Olson this weekend. "Levi really found his serve this weekend and that is something we want to keep going moving into the new year."
McKay knows the work isn't done. "There are still a few things I think we can clean up and that can help stop the opponents from going on some runs like the Heat did this weekend."
The nationally ranked Huskies will now be off for a few weeks before getting back underway in the second half of the season out in Vancouver taking on the UBC Thunderbirds January 6 and 7 in Vancouver. Livestream will be available on Canadawest.tv.
