Anthony Simone, Cougar Athletics
CALGARY - The 3-12 Mount Royal Cougars took on the 12-3 Alberta Golden Bears Saturday afternoon at Kenyon Court looking to split their home series after falling to the Golden Bears in a close match last night in 5 games. The Golden Bears were too much to handle for the Cougars on this evening, winning in straight sets 25-20, 25-20, 25-20. The Booster Juice Players of the Game were Riley Friesen for the Cougars and Alex McMullin for the Golden Bears, who both lead their team in kills.
The Golden Bears got off to a strong start in the first set thanks to an aggressive offensive attack, forcing the Cougars to take an early timeout down 8-2. MRU was able to stay in the game following the timeout thanks to their strong defence which produced 3.5 blocks and 7 block assists in the set bring the game to 16-10 Alberta at the technical timeout. While the Cougars kept it close, service errors and the Golden Bears relentless offensive attack lead to a first set loss 25-20. Friesen lead the Cougars with 5 kills in the set, while Sani lead the Golden Bears with 5 kills of his own.
MRU got off to a roaring start in the second set in large part to the exceptional play of Friesen who started the set with two massive kills. Alberta was forced to take their first time out down 9-3 hoping to spark a comeback. Following the timeout, the Cougars were able to pick up right where they left off taking a 16-9 lead into the technical timeout after a service error by Sani. After outscoring the Cougars 7-1 the Golden Bears closed the gap to 1, forcing MRU to take their 2nd timeout of the set. Alberta was able to complete the comeback after the timeout thanks to solid defence and errors by the Cougars taking the set once again by a score of 25-20. The Golden Bears lead 2 set to 0 heading into the third set.
The third set was a back and forth affair early with the Bears trailing but once again closing the gap and forcing the Cougars to take a timeout trailing 13-11 after a block by Alberta. Cougars came out strong after the timeout but still trailed 16-15 going into the technical timeout after a Golden Bear ace. After an attack error, MRU called their last timeout hoping to climb back in the game trailing by 3. But the Golden Bears were just to much for the Cougars on this night, taking a third straight set 25-20 after a service error by Cougars Ty Moline. The University of Alberta Golden Bears swept the weekend series versus the Cougars after taking this one in 3 straight sets.
The Cougars next game will take place in Edmonton next Friday, January 19th at 7:30 PM versus MacEwan.