CALGARY – In a grueling five set match, the University of Calgary closed out their home opening weekend with two wins, defeating the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 3-2 (22-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-21, 15-11) in come-from-behind fashion Saturday night in the Jack Simpson Gym. 

BOX SCORE

After losing a 3-0 match Friday, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies came out on a mission, frustrating the Dinos with their relentless defense and pursuit. This impressive defense combined with multiple Calgary errors led the Huskies to a 25-22 victory.

The second set was filled with much of the same unforced errors from the Dinos, who led the Huskies to 8-7 at the first technical time out. With the Dinos losing several long rallies and Saskatchewan digging everything, Calgary grew increasingly frustrated. The Dinos unable to get a hand to block the Saskatchewan middle Jarret Christenson or power hitter Geoffrey Zerr, and the Huskies closed the second set 25-23.

With nothing left to do but fight, the Dinos jumped out to 8-5 at the first technical break of the third set, winning the serve and pass game. Trading off points, the Dinos came out on top at the second technical with key kills from David Egan and Andrew Tallas. Tallas went on a four-point serving run and converted a free ball to finish the game 25-20.

In a defensive battle, the Dinos responded to Saskatchewan's challenge, touching balls both front and back court, sending them to an 8-6 advantage.  The Huskies respond with offensive speed from Jarret Christensen and Brian Yuzdepski.  But with back-to-back blocks and kills from Dinos power Andrew Tallas alongside several Saskatchewan unforced errors, the Dinos take the set 25-21.

The Dinos put pressure on the Huskies right off the hop with a service ace and huge stuff block. Up 3-1, the Dinos cough up consecutive unforced errors tying the game 5-5. With a huge block from Saskatchewan, the Huskies lead at the switch 8-7. Outstanding defense from the Dinos put them up 10-9, forcing Saskatchewan into a time-out. At 12-9, Dinos setter, Ciaran McGovern got a service ace, which was followed by a kill from David Egan. Power hitter, Curtis James, finished the game 15-11 with a stuff block.

The Dinos finished the five set match with Egan and Tallas leading in kills with 14 and 10, respectively. For the Huskies, power hitters Jarret Christensen and Geoffrey Zerr had 15 kills and 13 kills each. Alongside this duo was middle Brian Yuzdepski with 13 kills for Saskatchewan.

Calgary heads out on the road next weekend to face the Trinity Western Spartans in Langley, B.C., while the Huskies return home to play host to the Brandon Bobcats next weekend.

-UC-