The Huskies women’s volleyball team was outmatched against the UBC Thunderbirds Nov. 9 and 10.

Men’s squad upsets higher ranked T-Birds

The number eight nationally ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s volleyball team hosted the number six ranked University of British Columbia Thunderbirds Nov. 9 and 10 at the PAC.

The Huskies came out strong in the first match of the weekend, defeating the T-Birds 3-0 (25-9, 25-15, 25-12).

Plagued with hitting errors in the match, the T-Birds struggled to find a rhythm offensively with 21 attack errors in the three lopsided sets. Meanwhile, the Huskies jumped to early leads in all three games and didn’t once relinquish their lead.

Second-year middle blocker Robert Graham started in place of injured fourth-year Braden McLean. He had a strong showing with eight kills and three assisted blocks in the match. The Dogs outside hitters Matthew Busse and Paul Thomson also had eight kills each.

The following night the teams met again and played a much closer second match that went to five sets. Two of the sets had to be decided by extra points. In the end it was UBC that won the final set to split the weekend points with the Dogs.

The Thunderbirds won by scores of 19-25, 31-29, 27-25, 23-25 and 15-11.

David Zeyha led the T-Birds with 21 kills on the night while Quentin Schmidt recorded 14 kills and 15 digs.

The Huskies Bryan Fraser recorded a double-double with 22 kills and 10 digs in the match. Paul Thomson finished the evening with 16 kills and 15 digs.

With the win UBC snapped a four match losing streak and moved to 2-4. The Huskies are 3-3 and find themselves in sixth place in the twelve team league.

The Huskies travel to Langley, B.C. to face the Trinity Western Spartans Nov. 16 and 17. The Dogs will have to bring their best as the Spartans are ranked second in the country and boast a 5-1 record.

Women’s team continues struggles

The UBC Thunderbirds entered the weekend ranked second best in Canada and made quick work of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Nov. 9 and 10 at the PAC.

UBC knocked off the Huskies in three sets both nights.

The opening night was dominated by UBC’s Shanice Marcelle and Jessica von Schilling, who each recorded eight kills in the match. The T-Birds won 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-17).

In the second match of the weekend, UBC marched over the young Huskies team in similar fashion, winning 3-0 (25-12, 25-11, 25-13).

The Huskies second-year middle blocker Kayla Tycholiz managed five kills and two blocks in the match. Huskies’ libero Haley Williams led the team in digs with five.

For the T-Birds, Lisa Barclay had 10 kills, seven digs and two block assists while Marcelle had seven kills.

With the win UBC improves to 5-1 on the season while the Huskies drop to 1-5.

The Huskies women will travel to Langley, B.C. Nov. 16 and 17 to play the number one ranked team in the country, the Trinity Western Spartans.

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Photo: Raisa Pezderic