EDMONTON - Joel Schmuland led the #1 ranked University of Alberta Golden Bears volleyball team to a decisive Saturday sweep (25-21, 25-20 and 25-15) of the #4 ranked University of Calgary Dinos in Edmonton.
BOX SCORE
The heavy handed, thick bearded, fifth year, right side hitter pounded 15 kills as well as three aces as the defending CIS champions swept their provincial rivals in back-to-back straight sets in the U of A's Main Gym. Schmuland finished the weekend with 26 kills, three aces, 13 digs, three blocks and a 33% attack success mark. He hit for points on 50% of his attacks on Saturday night.
Calgary, coached by former Golden Bear Rod Durrant, was looking to capitalize on Alberta mistakes after receiving numerous chances that went unfulfilled on Friday night.
Unfortunately for the Dinos, while they did improve their game from match one, so too did their hosts as the Bears got better set by set.
In set one the teams were close throughout and Calgary actually played superior statistical ball but couldn't get the defensive stop or a key point when needed, as the Bears won 25-21.
Terry Danyluk's squad had to play a little catch-up in the second set, falling behind 6-4 early, before they fired off four straight points courtesy Schmuland serves and an eventual 11-2 run that quashed all of the Dinos' momentum.
With a 25-20 second set win, Alberta was well on their way to another victory, their eighth in conference play and 17 overall. The 25-15 nail in the coffin gave the Bears the sweep and improved their Canada West mark to 8-0.
Outside of Schmuland's efforts, Tim Gourlay banked eight kills; Justin Merta chipped in with seven and Ben Saxton added six and six digs. CIS rookie Spencer Leiske was highly efficient in the middle with seven kills on nine attempts with zero errors for a 78% attack rating. The former Red Deer King and Lacombe, AB native also had one dig and two blocks. He rounded out the weekend with a whopping 64% on the attack with 14 kills and eight blocks.
The Dinos men head to Regina next weekend while the Bears also travel east to play against the Manitoba Bisons.
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