SASKATOON, Sask. — The University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s volleyball team pushed the nationally-ranked UBC Thunderbirds throughout Saturday afternoon (Oct. 31) at the PAC, but the visitors claimed a straight-set victory, winning 25-22, 25-21, 25-19 to complete the weekend sweep. The loss drops Saskatchewan to 2-2 on the Canada West season, while UBC remains unbeaten at 4-0.
Despite the result, the Huskies were competitive throughout the match, particularly in the opening two sets where they held multiple leads and forced the Thunderbirds to battle for every point.
Fourth-year outside hitter Lucas Musschoot led Saskatchewan offensively with a match-high 11 kills while hitting .391. Middle Mathieu Methot added seven kills on nine attacks for an impressive .778 hitting percentage, and Reuben Veith chipped in eight kills. Setter Ethan Berardocco directed the offense with 24 assists.
The Huskies stayed within striking distance throughout the first set. Saskatchewan trailed 17-13 before rallying behind consecutive kills from Veith and a service ace from Daniel Hermanson to cut the deficit to four. Late kills from Musschoot and Veith brought the Huskies within two points at 24-22, but UBC’s Wil Basilio ended the set with a kill to secure a 25-22 victory.
Saskatchewan turned in its strongest stretch in the second frame. Trailing 9-7, the Huskies rattled off four straight points to take an 11-9 lead and later extended the advantage to 15-11. Musschoot and Methot sparked the run, while a block from Veith and Noah Hadwen helped keep momentum on the home side. UBC responded with a 14-6 run down the stretch, escaping with a 25-21 win despite Saskatchewan tying the set as late as 20-20.
The Thunderbirds gained control early in the third set, building a 16-11 lead behind the play of Basilio and Gavin Moes. Saskatchewan refused to go away, pulling within 20-18 on consecutive points from Musschoot and Methot. UBC answered with a strong finish, scoring five of the final six points to close out the set 25-19 and the match.
UBC was led by Basilio’s 11 kills, while Moes contributed 10 kills and a .421 hitting percentage. The Thunderbirds finished the match hitting .295 as a team compared to Saskatchewan’s .160.
The Huskies will look to regroup as they head into a bye week prior to another trip out west to Kelowna.