Tanner Michalenko, Saskatchewan Sports Information Student Assistant
SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan Huskies completed the weekend sweep of the MacEwan University Griffins Saturday night on Ron & Jane Graham Centre Court at the PAC, winning in straight sets (25-21, 25-23, 28-26).
Saskatchewan secured the straight set victory after storming back from an 18-14 deficit in the third set. A 6-0 run put the Huskies in front before finishing off the Griffins in extra points 28-26.
Saskatchewan now improves to 7-9 and is on a five match winning streak. MacEwan is 1-13. A night earlier, the Huskies won 3-1 (26-24, 24-26, 25-19, 25-18).
First-year standout Dylan Mortensen recorded a team-high 14 kills and six digs. Fourth-year Colin Fraser supplied 12 kills , two digs and a service ace.
For the Griffins, fourth-year Kai Hesthammer had a game-high 15 kills and six digs. Third-year Max Vriend chipped in with nine kills and five digs.
Third-year Daulton Sinoski got things started at service for Saskatchewan, jumping out to a 4-0 lead before burning a MacEwan timeout. The Huskies protected the slim lead throughout the set. Up 23-21, the Griffins had momentum with them before Mortensen cancelled any comeback plans with a pretty kill before second-year Aidan Saladana finished it off with a kill of his own in the 25-21 win.
MacEwan had a better start in the third and led 12-10. The tides turned when second-year CJ Gavlas delivered three straight aces, forcing a MacEwan timeout. Saskatchewan grew lead to 22-17 before the Griffins fired back. Narrowing the lead to 24-23, the Huskies spent a timeout before Fraser ended it with a kill, 25-23.
Maintaining the lead throughout the majority of the third, MacEwan build an 18-14 lead that featured a lengthy run at the service for first-year Ryan Zachary. Sinoski had a response going on a six-point service run capped off by an ace. MacEwan eventually tied things at 24, before Sinoski came through once again with a kill and a service ace for the final two points needed in the 28-26 win.
The Huskies will travel to Thompson Rivers University to take on the WolfPack next weekend. The Griffins return home to host the Mount Royal University Cougars.