Connor Hood - Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics
EDMONTON - Following a convincing 3-0 loss the previous night, the No. 4 University of Alberta Pandas flipped the switch on Saturday, earning a 3-1 win (25-15, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22) over the No. 1 UBC Thunderbirds at Saville Community Sports Centre.
The win salvaged the the series split for the fourth-ranked Pandas, who earned their fifth win of the conference season. UBC, meanwhile, lose just their second match this season, falling to 6-2.
Kory White led the Pandas with 15 kills on Saturday night, while also adding five digs and an ace. Fifth-year setter Eryn Orysiuk finished with a game-high 44 assists, compared to UBC setter Alessandra Gentile, who ended her night with 26. Pacing the 'Birds, however, was Kiera Van Ryk, who finished with a match-high 22 kills on 50 attempts.
Not wanting to suffer their first sweep of the season, Alberta came out with some offensive spark on Saturday, taking the first set easily over UBC (25-15). White and Erin Corbett led the Pandas with five kills each, as Alberta took advantage of a healthy hitting percentage (.433) to take the set.
UBC, who had lost just six sets all season entering the match, improved their defence dramatically in the second set. The Thunderbirds dug up 20 Panda attacks, while adding two blocks, and 15 kills of their own. The tougher D, as well as seven kills by Van Ryk, gave UBC a 25-23 second set win.
Van Ryk added another six kills in the third, but the Pandas neutralized the UBC secondary attackers, winning the third 25-21. After getting stymied in the second, the Panda offence also regained their rythym in the third, improving their hitting percentage by 20. Not one Panda had more than three kills in the set, as Orysiuk spread around the attack in the third.
The fourth was incredibly tight, as neither team was willing to back off the gas pedal. The Pandas were able to separate themselves late, however, as a 18-18 tie eventually turned into a 25-22 set win for Alberta.
The 5-3 Pandas will head on the road next weekend, as they face the also 5-3 Trinity Western Spartans. UBC, meanwhile, will return home for a weekend set against the 0-8 MacEwan Griffins.