Randy SavoieBears Volleyball
On the road in Saskatchewan last week, the undefeated University of Alberta Golden Bears were in Regina to take on the 1-17 Cougars.
The second ranked Bears had not lost a set in three matches, and looked to continue their dominating season. That dominance was shown often for the Bears, as their torrid .405 team hitting percentage coupled with airtight blocking and solid defence saw them roll to a straight sets victory.
Saturday night’s match was much the same, with the offence picking up where it had left off. Setter Brett Walsh notched 35 assists on the weekend, and the Bears hit .542 on the night to guarantee another straight-sets win.
Now 20-0 on the season, and only having lost five sets all year ,the Bears will face their toughest test yet, as they play the third ranked University of Calgary Dinos next week at the Saville Centre. — Mitch Sorensen
Pandas Volleyball
After a difficult six game stretch that saw them go 2-4, the Pandas were looking to get back to their winning ways against the 1-17 Regina Cougars.
Having dropped from the #1-ranked team in CIS and Canada West, the Pandas are now fighting to keep themselves in the top three. Friday night saw the Pandas dynamic offence produce at a slightly reduced output than normal, as their .130 hitting average was well below their season average of .213. Despite this, solid blocking and cagey defense led the them to a 3-0 win.
The second match of the weekend saw a rejuvenated Cougar team take the floor, and win the battles on the block and defence. The Pandas didn’t fold however, and used a balanced hitting attack that saw three players reach double-digit kill figures to grind out a 3-1 win.
The Pandas will look to keep up their winning ways in next weekend’s two-game home stand against the Calgary Dinos. — Mitch Sorensen
Bears Hockey
After a dominating performance last weekend against the Regina Cougars, the Bears hockey team came back down to earth this weekend, getting swept by their provincial rival, the Calgary Dinos.
Friday night’s game saw the Bears claw their way back from a 4-1 second period deficit to tie the game at four apiece early in the third period. Despite dominating the Dinos in the shots department, the green and gold couldn’t find the go ahead goal, and Calgary scored on their first shot of the third period with under four minutes to go, and would add an empty netter to take Friday’s game 6-4.
The Bears dug themselves into a hole once again on Saturday night, finding themselves down 3-1 after the first period. They did manage to score two goals in the third period, but the Dinos were also able to score two of their own, making the final 5-3.
Things don’t get any easier for the Bears next weekend, as the first place Saskatchewan Huskies come to town. — Zach Borutski
Bears Basketball
Second half woes plagued the Bears basketball team this past weekend, as they lost both their games to the Lethbridge Pronghorns.
Friday’s matchup saw a tightly contested game going into the third quarter, with the Bears holding a 39-38 lead. It wouldn’t last however, as the Pronghorns came out firing, outscoring the green and gold 32-14 in the third quarter, and 23-8 in the fourth, en route to a 93-61 victory. Lyndon Anetts led the Bears with 20 points on the night, while Brandon Brine had a huge game for the ‘Horns, pouring in 37 points.
It was a similar story on Saturday, as the Bears were very much in the game at halftime, only trailing by five points, but once again got blown out in the second half, getting outscored 23-8 in the third quarter. The Pronghorns would eventually roll to the 88-62 victory.
The Bears will look to get back on track against the Trinity Western Spartans this weekend. — Zach Borutski
