Tanner Michalenko, Saskatchewan Sports Information Student Assistant
SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan won their fourth match in a row with a 3-1 (26-24, 24-26, 25-19, 25-18)victory over the MacEwan University Griffins Friday night on Ron & Jane Graham Centre Court at the PAC.
Dead even after the first two sets, the Huskies stepped up in the third and fourth to keep their winning streak alive, remaining undefeated in the second half of the 2017-18 season.
The win improves Saskatchewan to 6-9. MacEwan falls to 1-12.
First-year Dylan Mortensen led the Huskies with a match-high 19 kills, four digs and an ace. Fourth-year Colin Fraser recorded 12 kills, six digs and a game-high four service aces.
For MacEwan, third-year Max Vriend recorded 13 kills, four digs and an ace at the service. First-year Ryan Zachary chipped in with 10 kills, three digs and an ace himself.
In the first set, Saskatchewan saw their biggest lead of three at 21-18 disappear quickly following a 4-1 Griffin run to tie the set at 22. Second-year Aidan Saladana set up the Huskies with a set-point opportunity at 24-22. The Griffins rallied back, but errors caught up to them as they gave Saskatchewan their final two points to take the first set 26-25.
The Huskies 11-6 lead in the second set was short-lived. A 5-0 run capped off by back-to-back blocks by the Griffins tied the set at 11. Both teams battled back and forth until the score was tied at 21. From there, a 4-1 run featuring three kills from Zachary put the Griffins in a good position to win the set, 26-24.
In the third, the Huskies wouldn't let MacEwan earn a lead. With the score at 17-16 for Saskatchewan, second-year Matthew Meyer put together a nice run at the service, earning five points for Saskatchewan during an 8-3 run to close the set, 25-19.
Second-year CJ Gavlas came through for his teammates in the final set. Gavlas produced six points at the service in the set. With the score at 23-18 coming out of a Huskie timeout, Fraser had two kills, while Meyer delivered a service ace for the 25-18 win.
Saskatchewan and MacEwan will meet again Saturday night at the PAC. The first serve is at 8 p.m.