Tanner Michalenko, Saskatchewan Sports Information Student Assistant
SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan Huskies took down the UBC Okanagan Heat in straight sets (25-23, 25-18, 25-23) Friday night on Ron & Jane Centre Court at the PAC.
The win helps the Huskies playoff chances as they entered the weekend tied for a playoff spot as one of five teams in contention, separated by just four points. Saskatchewan improves to 8-11, while the Heat fall to 5-12.
First-year Dylan Mortensen led the Huskies with a team-high 15 kills, five digs and a game-high four service aces. Fourth-year Colin Fraser supplied eight kills, seven digs and a block.
For the Heat, fifth-year Lars Bornemann had a game-high 18 kills and seven digs. Third-year Devon Cote chipped in with 12 kills and five digs.
It was Mortensen doing the heavy lifting for Saskatchewan in the opening set, supplying five kills in the first after the Huskies erased a slim UBCO 4-1 lead early on. Mortensen also delivered back-to-back aces in the set before he smashed the final point to secure the 25-23 win.
Mortensen kicked off the second set once again delivering back-to-back aces behind the service line. A 3-0 Heat run late in the set forced Huskie head coach Brian Gavlas to use a timeout. Daulton Sinoski put away the final kill for the Huskies coming out of the timeout for the 25-18 win.
In the third, the Huskies would play from behind until eventually crawling to a tie at 18-18. Bornemann did all he could to keep his team alive, recording four kills late in the set. Three kills from Mortensen and the final from Fraser stole the set for Saskatchewan 25-23, securing the straight set victory.
The two teams are back on the court Saturday night. First-serve is at 8 p.m.