Men's volleyball fall in four sets to bobcats

Photo by Milana Paddock
Photo by Milana Paddock

BRANDON – The Bobcats grinded out a four-set win on Saturday night over the Saskatchewan Huskies to secure a series sweep to start the home portion of the 2017-18 schedule.

The scores read 25-23, 25-23, 19-25 and 25-23 in favour of BU as the men's volleyball team improved their Canada West record to 3-and-1.

The opening set saw both sides battle tooth and nail until the late stages of the first. The Bobcats collected three straight points to go up 20-17. The padding of points proved to be enough to give Brandon the nod.

Saskatchewan strung together six straight points in the second set to lead 10-7. Brandon battled back and grabbed an 18-16 lead thanks to an 8-3 run. The two sides were tied 23-23, before the Bobcats scored consecutive points to grab a big advantage in the match.

The Huskies held down the fort in the third to avoid being bounced in straight sets. A 6-0 run kept the Bobcats at bay to force a fourth set.

Brandon retaliated with fury to start the fourth by winning the first four points. Momentum was in the hands of both teams with the Huskies holding a 13-11 lead. The Bobcats won four straight points to regain the lead at 15-13. BU and Saskatchewan traded shots down the stretch, before the Bobcats won four of the final six points to come out on top.

Matt Powell powered his way to a 12-kill performance while Elliott Viles added 11 of his own for Brandon.

Saskatchewan's offence was led by Colin Fraser with a match-high 15 kills. Dylan Mortensen was next with 13 as the Huskies slipped to 0-and-4.

The Bobcats will look to keep rolling on the road next weekend when they visit the Thompson Rivers WolfPack. Meanwhile, the Huskies are on home floor when they welcome the Winnipeg Wesmen.