After opening the season with two wins, the Huskies women’s volleyball team suffered their first losses to the Trinity Western University Spartans on Nov. 1 and 2 in the Physical Activity Complex. The Dogs dropped both matches three sets to one and are now 2-2 on the season. The record ties the Huskies for fifth in the Canada West Standings.

The Spartans took their first meeting with the Dogs three sets to one with set scores of 25-18, 14-25, 25-15, 25-19.

The Huskies looked strong in the first set and led the Spartans until the visiting side scored four unanswered points to pull ahead 17-15. The Spartans dominated the rest of the set, allowing the Dogs only three more points as they stole the opener 25-18.

The second set looked to be favouring the home side early as the Huskies jumped out to a 7-0 lead. The Dogs maintained a stranglehold and never allowed the Spartans to come within less than seven points for the remainder of the set. The home side claimed the second easily with a score of 25-14.

Tied at one set all, errors cost the Huskies in the third and helped the Spartans gain a 12-5 advantage. The Dogs fought back for 12-15, but the Spartans maintained their hold on the set and took a 2-1 advantage after securing the third 25-15 without much trouble.

The Spartans built a 11-6 lead to open the fourth set until the Huskies closed the gap to 12-9. The visiting side kept edging ahead and the Dogs called a timeout down 11-18. The home side returned to score three straight points, but an attack error gave the Spartans back the ball at 19-14.

The Huskies stayed within touching distance but at 22-19 for the visiting side the Spartans ran out the set on three straight kills to take the match.

Candace Hueser led the Huskies with 15 kills while Kayla Tycholiz and Emily Humbert each recorded six. Jennifer Hueser recorded 15 digs.

The Spartans defeated the Huskies in the second match 3-1. The visiting team was able to win thanks in large part to taking the incredibly competitive opening set.

The two teams exchanged numerous set points during Saturday’s opener until the Spartans snuck it out 31-29. The teams were tied 20 times during the set and the Huskies held three set points of their own but couldn’t convert. The Dogs fought off two set points before the Spartans capitalized on their third attempt. The Spartans closed the first off of a Huskies attack error and a kill by Sophie Carpentier.

Winning the first set proved to swing the momentum in the favour of the Spartans. The Huskies immediately lagged behind 4-16 and never found their footing. The visiting side took the second set 25-9 without any of the drama of the first.

Shaking off the disappointment of dropping the first two sets, the Huskies outpaced the Spartans until the two teams drew even at 16 all in the third. The Huskies stole the next three points to post a 19-16 lead and pushed ahead to 22-19. From here the Dogs allowed only one more point against them and took the third 25-20.

The Spartans led from the beginning of the fourth and never looked back, securing the set and match 25-20 on a service ace.

The Huskies play the University of Manitoba Bisons on Nov. 8 and 9 in Winnipeg.