Fifth-year Andrew Nelson powered the No. 10 ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies to a straight set 3-0 (29-27, 25-23, 25-21) win over the visiting University of Calgary Dinos Saturday night on Ron & Jane Graham Court at the PAC in Saskatoon.
The outside hitter tallied 21 of the Huskies 37 kills in the win for a .436 hitting percentage on the night. He also added two service aces and three digs. Colin Fraser was the next best for the Huskies recording five kills and six digs.
Saskatchewan also turned the tides when serving recording six aces in the game. Serves have been a problem for the Huskies, who lead the nation in service errors.
With the win, the Huskies improve to 11-9 and are tied for a Canada West men's volleyball playoff spot with four matches remaining in the schedule. Calgary drops to 7-13 and lost traction in the playoff race. The top seven teams are given postseason life.
Curtis Stockton led the Dinos with 17 kills and six digs. Alex Bader added another nine kills for Calgary and six digs. Derek Meeuwisse recorded a match-high 10 digs.
Tied at 22, the Saskatchewan and Calgary matched each other five more times in the first set before a Nelson successful kill and a block by Tyler and Derek Epp ended the set 29-27. The second set was much of the same with each team matching each other point-for-point. A Calgary service error gave the Huskies' a 25-23 win. Saskatchewan had a small two-point lead throughout the majority of the deciding set and continued to hold to the 25-21.
The Dinos return home to host the Regina Cougars next weekend, while the Huskies hit to road to face the Mount Royal Cougars.