WINNIPEG — The Saskatchewan Huskies earned the final Canada West berth into the U SPORTS nationals Saturday with a victory over the UBC Thunderbirds in the conference bronze-medal match.
Isaiah Mamer led three Huskies in double figures with 13 kills as the Huskies completed a reverse sweep in a 3-2 (22-25, 20-25, 25-18, 25-23, 15-12) win at the Duckworth Centre.
Mamer was named the team’s Mikasa player of the game after adding a team-high eight digs.
The Huskies took control of the fifth set from the jump, scoring the first five points before having to fend off a Thunderbird surge that closed the game to 7-6.
With the Huskies leading 8-6 at the turn, the two teams played side out to 11-10 when Saskatchewan got back-to-back points to put UBC on the brink.
“The boys started off slow, but showed up in the third with a great battle mentality,” U of S head coach Sean McKay said. “Our execution from the baseline allowed us to ramp up in other areas and take the next three. The Dogs don’t just go away and tonight the boys embodied that. Incredible finish for an incredible group of young men.”
All-star Emmett Graham, who finished with 13 kills, got the swing that ended them match and booked the Huskies their tickets to Brandon, March 21-23.
Jefferson Morrow added 11 kills and seven digs for the Huskies, who lost Friday’s semifinal to the host Winnipeg Wesmen.
Reeve Gingera had a match-high 20 kills, seven digs and four aces and was named UBC’s player of the match. Gavin Moes had 19 kills and Mason Greves had a match-high 14 digs.
“I thought our serve-receive broke down,” UBC head coach Mike Hawkins said. “Things were going well for us when we had all four options available and, when we’re setting our offence from the three-metre line we need to be able to constantly apply pressure. Kudos to Sask, when they found their groove, they were able to bounce back.”
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