Tanner Michalenko, Saskatchewan Sports Information Student Assistant
SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan Huskies earned their first win of the 2017-18 Canada West men's volleyball season with a four-set (25-23, 21-25, 27-25, 25-18) victory Friday night on Ron & Jane Centre Court at the PAC.
First-year Dylan Mortensen recorded a match-high in both kills and digs with 16 and 12. Fourth-year Colin Fraser was close behind with 13 kills and nine digs.
Fourth-year Tyler Schmidt lead the Cougars with 12 kills, eight digs, two assists and a service ace.
With the win, the Huskies are now 1-8, while Mount Royal drops to 2-7.
After trading early points, Mount Royal built the largest lead of the opening set at 13-7. The Huskies would storm back to eventually tie it at 15. The battle continued until late in the set. The Huskies secured three straight points to take the open set 25-23.
Neither the Cougars or Huskies could build a large lead in the second game. The Cougars mimicked the Huskies' first set performance, scoring the final three points for the second set win, 25-21.
Saskatchewan found itself in a 20-15 hole in the third set but crawled back to tie the game at 22 after a Patrick Hunchak service ace. Second-year Aidan Saladana supplied back-to-back kills to secure the win in set three, 27-25.
In the final and deciding set, the Huskies built an early 13-8 lead that would provide enough breathing room the rest of the way. Saskatchewan sealed the match win with a 25-18 victory.
The teams meet again Saturday night. First-serve at 8 p.m.