For their final two games of the season the Huskies women’s volleyball team will take on the Mount Royal University Cougars. Currently in eighth spot in the Canada West division the Dogs have a slight chance to advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2001-02.

The top seven teams move on and the Huskies are currently four points behind the number seven University of Regina Cougars. In order to have a chance, the Huskies need to win both matches this weekend while the Cougars lose both of theirs. If this happens the two teams would be tied for the seventh and final playoff spot, with the squad sporting the higher percentage of sets won versus sets lost clinching the berth.

The Cougars are tenth in the division with a 6-14 record and arrive in Saskatoon with a three game losing streak. Playing on an unfamiliar court has not been kind to the Cougars all season. The team is still searching for their first win away with an 0-9 record.

The Huskies don’t have an overly impressive record at home — the team currently holds a 4 – 6 record — but given the Cougars’ struggles, playing in Saskatoon will be advantageous for the home team.

The Huskies will look to Candace Hueser and Kayla Tycholiz to get their offence going, while libero Jennifer Hueser will be tough on defence.

Carolyn O’Dwyer and Julia Pasieka are the big hitters for the Cougars while libero Tayler Smith leads the team in digs.

This will be the first meeting of the season between the two teams. During the 2012-13 season the Cougars won both matches against the Huskies without dropping a set. However, the Dogs won only three matches last year and have been playing much better ball this season.

Even if the Huskies do not advance to the playoffs they’ll have many positives to take away. This has been the Dogs’ best season in years and points towards good things to come.

First serve is at 6:00 p.m. on Feb. 7 and 8 at the Physical Activity Complex.