COLE GUENTER &
KEVIN MENZ

After an unsuccessful first half to the 2011-12 season, the Huskies men’s volleyball team is hoping their strong showing at the annual Enns Baxter Wealth Management Invitational tournament can turn their season around.

The EBWM invitational is an annual tournament hosted by Huskies men’s volleyball. Formerly known as the Brian Mallard tournament, the event has featured teams from Japan as well as the NCAA’s top division.

This year’s tournament took place from Jan. 5 to 7 at the Physical Activity Complex and saw Saskatchewan take on the Calgary Dinos, McMaster Marauders and Laval Rouge et Or.

The Dogs finished with a silver medal after losing to Laval in the tournament’s final match.

“The weekend was up and down. We showed some flashes of brilliance but also played quite poorly at times. We had some solid blocking but our ball control is a problem still, as it’s not giving us quality opportunities,” said Huskies head coach Brian Gavlas.

The Huskies came out strong in their first round robin match against their western conference rivals, the University of Calgary.

The Dogs won the first two sets against the Dinos but dropped the next two. They tightened up in the final set, however, winning 15-11 and taking the match 3-2.

In their second round robin game, the Huskies got their first taste of Laval.

In a fast-paced, high-intensity first set to open the match, Laval narrowly won 30-28.

Unfortunately for Saskatchewan, that is as close as they would get. The Huskies dropped both of the next two sets 25-20 and lost the match 3-0.

Saskatchewan redeemed itself the following day, however, by sweeping McMaster in three sets (25-7, 28-26, 25-21). The squad from McMaster didn’t seem at all prepared for the first game, losing 25-7.

Huskies left side hitter Paul Thomson helped out in that win with a pair of aces and a handful of kills.

Laval, who went 4-0 in the tournament and swept three of their matches, were just too strong for the other teams in the tournament.

In the gold medal final against Saskatchewan, Laval controlled the net with big blocks and dominating kills from Karl De Grandpre. They won the first set 25-17.

The Dogs took an early lead in the second set as they found their stride and as Huskies middle Geoffrey Zerr fought back with kills of his own. Laval, though, tied it at 18 points and won the second set 25-21.

The Huskies tried mixing up their players in game three but it didn’t help as they lost the third set 25-20, giving up the gold medal to Laval in a three-set sweep.

McMaster defeated Calgary to win the bronze.

After the tournament, the Huskies’ Thomson acknowledged the team’s shaky play.

“It was good to come out and beat Calgary, since we are playing them in a couple weeks,” he said. “Those Laval guys, though, really came out to play and we had our hands full with them, so we can’t be overly pleased. But at the same time we had our moments.”

Gavlas, who has been Saskatchewan’s head coach since 1992, recognized the team still needs work, but is optimistic about the second half of the season.

“We have to take the positives and hopefully build on them for a good second half,” he said.

The Huskies, who went 2-2 in the tournament, had two members — Geoffrey Zerr and Matthew Busse — make the tournament all-star team.

Laval’s Karl De Grandpre was named MVP while teammates Jeremie Lortie and Justin Boudreault were given all-star nods.

Calgary’s Graham Vigrass and McMaster’s T.J. Sanders rounded out the all-star mentions.

The Huskies resume regular season play Jan. 13 and 14 when they host the Winnipeg Wesmen.

—
Photo: Raisa Pezderic/The Sheaf