Huskies sent packing in 3-0 sweep for Heat

Megan Festival led the Heat with 14 kills in a 3 set win over Saskatchewan.

Women’s Volleyball (Canada West conference play)    

Friday, November 15, 2013            BOX SCORE | SCHEDULE & RESULTS

Physical Activity Centre, Saskatoon, SK

SASKATOON, SK - It was a quick night for the UBC Okanagan Heat, who swept their host in the Saskatchewan Huskies 3-0 on Friday(26-24, 25-12, 25-18). The momentum built from a tight first set carried over into heavily one-sided second and third outings for the No. 7 Heat.

“Winning that first set was key,” Manuel said. “We were down 22-24 and fought back to win it 26-24. We never looked back from there and other than the first few rallies of the third set we played very well and led all the way.”

The Huskies clamoured back from a 13-8 deficit in the first set to take a 24-22 lead, on the cusp of taking a match lead. Instead, a service error by Saskatchewan returned the ball to the Heat, who would secure the set victory behind points from third-year Brianna Beamish (Surrey, BC), and second-years Megan Festival (Calgary, AB) and Kaitlynn Given (Kelowna, BC).

The second set was all Heat as they ran out to a 10-2 lead, continuing their pace to the 25-12 battering of the deflated Huskies.

Saskatchewan would lead the third set until an attack error tied it up at nine. An attack by third-year middle Katy Klomps attack (Surrey, BC) would give the Heat a lead they would then maintain through the 25-18 victory.

“We saw a solid and steady performance by our young players tonight,” said Heat coach Steve Manuel of his squad. “We did a good job of winning the long rallies, which is a part of the game that Saskatchewan is very good at.”

Festival and Beamish played outstanding all-around games, each recording 14 kills and 10 digs, and 11 kills and 13 digs.

For the Huskies, Kayla Tycholiz and Emmalyn Copping led in kills throughout the match at six apiece. Jennifer Hueser added 12 digs.

With the win the No. 7 Heat improve to 5-2, bouncing back from an 0-2 weekend in Brandon to get back to their winning ways. The Huskies, meanwhile, drop to 2-5.

Both squads will be back at it again tomorrow at the PAC at 4:15 p.m. (PST)

- with notes from Nicole Betker (Sports Information Director, Huskie Athletics)