WINNIPEG – The University of Saskatchewan Huskies earned a road win 3-1 (25-20, 7-25, 25-20, 25-21) over the University of Manitoba Bisons Friday night Investors Group Athletic Centre.
Huskies middle Georgia Hurry served eight straight in the first set, helping the team gain an early lead of 10-2. Saskatchewan setter Mackenzie Pek and middle Carissa Noble were a tough duo to block, gaining five kills with Pek's quick sets and Noble's hard-driven attacks. Right-side Taylor Annala finished the set 25-20 for the Huskies with a hard-driven hit deflected out off of the Bisons' block.
The Bisons held a big lead in the second set, winning 25-7. Bisons setter Brittany Habing pulled out all the stops, surprising the Huskies with a kill off of the second touch, a fake attack, and another kill off of the Huskies' over-bump.
The third set was a closer battle. The Huskies pulled ahead in the last five points of the set, finishing 25-20 after a big block by Hurry and Pek.
In the final points of the fourth and final set, Huskies power Emily Koshinsky had three hard-driven kills, bringing Saskatchewan the win with a score of 25-21.
Koshinskyled the game with 12 kills and 14 digs, while Noble added 11 kills. Kearley Abbott led the Bisons leading 12 kills and 16 digs in the match.
The two teams will meet again Saturday night in the final match of the first half of the Canada West women's volleyball season.