Top-ranked Marauders down Huskies in straight sets
McMaster 3, Saskatchewan 0
Canada West teams were going for a clean sweep Thursday night at the PAC.
With a boisterous crowd of about 2,400 fans behind them, the host University of Saskatchewan Huskies were hoping to complete the hat trick. They went toe-to-toe with the No. 1-ranked McMaster University Marauders, only to come up a little short.
Close, but no cigar — or semifinal — for the Dogs.
“They’re a good team,” U of S coach Brian Gavlas said after testing the Marauders but falling 24-26, 21-25, 18-25.
“We didn’t get them offbalanced enough on servereceive, with what we wanted to try and do with a variety of serves. We mixed it up a little bit but some of our deeper floats weren’t in good position.”
In the first set, the Dogs had the Marauders tied at 2424 but couldn’t get it done.
“Six service errors,” Gavlas agreed, “probably dictated the outcome.”
In the second, Saskatchewan was able to take the lead on numerous occasions but McMaster pulled away at the end and carried that momentum into the clinching third set.
“We did all right, but we needed to execute better,” said Gavlas. “Unfortunately, we never really did that.”
Jordan Nowakowski, Paul Thomson and Tyler Epp had nine kills each for the Dogs. Danny Demyanenko and Jori Mantha has 11 apiece for the Marauders.
Alberta 3, Waterloo 0
(25-14, 25-12, 25-22)
No. 3 seeded Alberta Golden Bears made quick work of the OUA runner-up Waterloo Warriors, winning in three straight. Only one of them close.
“National championships, you never expect games to go that way,” admitted Golden Bears coach Terry Danyluk, “but I was really happy with how ready to play our guys were.
“They really played well and executed well.”
Ryan Nickifor led Alberta with 11 kills and five digs. Kevin Proudfoot, with seven digs, and Ryley Barnes added nine kills apiece.
“Obviously being in the championship before helps,” added Danyluk. “Waterloo, it’s their first time with this group of guys so it’s a different kind of atmosphere, a different kind of pressure. We did a good job of using our experience.”
Trinity Western 3, Laval 0
(25-14, 25-14, 25-19)
No. 5 seeded Trinity Western Spartans knocked off No. 4 Laval Rouge et Or in three straight.
Ryan Sclater paced the Spartans’ attack with 11 kills and six digs. CIS player of the year Nicholas Del Bianco added 10 kills.
Olivier Jannini led Laval with nine kills.
Dalhousie 3, York 2
(25-23, 25-19, 25-27, 16-25, 15-13)
In the tournament opener, No. 2 seed Dalhousie Tigers needed a full five sets to edge No. 7 seed York Lions 3-2.
Dalhousie had three players hit for double figures in kills: Kristen O’Brien (17), Alex Dempsey (14) and Bryan Duquette, who had 13 kills, two service aces and eight digs.
CIS first-team All-Canadian outside hitter Ray Szeto registered a game-high 20 kills, along with 10 digs, for York. CIS top rookie Josh Henderson was next with 12 kills, 11 digs and five assisted blocks.