The number eight ranked Brandon Bobcats upset the number six ranked Huskies 3-2 in the opening game of the playoff series.

Playing in their first postseason game in five years, the Huskies men’s volleyball squad lost a close match to the visiting Brandon Bobcats Friday, Feb. 15 at the PAC.

In the first game of the best-of-three series, the two teams battled back and forth before the Bobcats edged out the Dogs in the fifth and final set. Brandon won the match  3-2 (25-22, 18-25, 20-25, 25-19, 17-15).

After dropping the opening set, the Huskies found life in the second and third, winning each by at least five points.

Bryan Fraser was the top dog of the night. He managed 23 kills in his squad’s losing effort. Defensively, Jeff Grant and Joel Dyck each had 14 digs for the Huskies.

Down 2-1 after three sets, Brandon proved its resilience and battled back. Led by trio of attackers Roy Ching, Sam Tuivai and Dan Boutwell, Brandon recorded 19, 17 and 15 kills, respectively, to force a fifth deciding set.

In the final set, the teams matched each other the whole way. The game went to extra points before Brandon could claim victory.

With the win Brandon now takes a 1-0 lead in the Canada West quarter-final series. The Huskies need to win on Saturday to stay alive in the playoffs. A win for Brandon will advance them to the Canada West Final Four in Edmonton March 1-3.

The teams will meet again in the PAC for game two on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m.

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Photo: Raisa Pezderic/The Sheaf