Dylan Dodge, Mount Royal Sports Information
CALGARY – The Regina Cougars earned a road weekend split after a 3-2 (25-13, 14-25, 12-25, 26-24, 15-10) victory over the Mount Royal Cougars.
In the first, Regina came out flying and went up 7-1 before MRU head coach Sandra Lamb was forced to call a timeout. Sloppy play, miscommunications on defense and bad passing contributed to a tough first set for the hosting Cougars. They were unable to put together a comeback and dropped the first set 25-13.
Coming out flat, MRU had work to do in the second. Going up 7-2 early on, the home Cougars were able to add to that lead by the technical timeout, leading Regina 16-8. A huge pick up on both sides of the ball contributed to MRU's second set win, utilizing middles, hustling on defence and stringing together large sets of points. They tied the match up at one by a score of 25-14.
In the third Mount Royal's momentum propelled them to an early 7-2 lead which forced Melanie Sanford to take a timeout. That helped Regina climb back into the contest, however, Mount Royal still held the lead 16-9 at the technical timeout. Mount Royal's clinical serving and helped them take the second set by a score of 25-12.
With their backs against the wall, Regina hung in tough and built themselves a 16-13 lead at the fourth set technical timeout. Regina continued there solid offensive performance and forced Mount Royal to take a timeout after falling down 19-15. Mount Royal stormed back after Sandra Lamb's talk and tied the contest at 23 points apiece, however, Regina ultimately won the set 26-24 forcing a fifth set. The final point coming from a lovely ace.
In the fifth and final set, Mount Royal took an early three-point lead thanks to a few Regina errors and a Donaghy kill. This again forced Melanie Sanford to take a timeout. Regina got the next four points, which gave them a 5-4 lead. Mount Royal turned the game around thanks to a few great defensive plays from Allisa Dandenault.Regina wouldn't go down without a fight however and eventually snatched victory from the MRU by a score of 3-2 with the fifth set going in their favour by a score of 15-10.
The hosting Cougars will face the Trinity Western Spartans, Nov. 17-18 in Langley, BC, while the visiting Cougars will host the Brandon Bobcats.