In a closely contested match, the MacEwan University Griffins men's volleyball team dropped a defensive battle to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 3-1 (22-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-20) on Friday evening at City Center Gymnasium.

Damon Holmen and Zach Brown led the Griffins with three kills each to lead a balanced Griffins attack, as they held off the Huskies in a close opening set 25-22.

Teams continued to trade points in the second set until the Huskies utilized a late run to pull ahead 23-18. The Griffins fought back to make it close, but it was the Huskies prevailing 26-24. Paul Thompson racked up five kills to pace the Huskies attack.

Defense was on the menu for both teams in the third set as the Huskies posted 17 digs while the Griffins registered 16. Huskies libero Matthew Erickson lead the way with five digs enroute to a 25-23 set victory.

While the Griffins did their best to push the match to a fifth and deciding set, it was just not meant to be as the Huskies controlled much of the later stages of the set, closing out the Griffins 25-20. Jordan Nowakowski registered nine kills, including a back row kill to end the match.

Travis Czainski distributed the ball well throughout the game finishing with 41 assists and 11 digs to be named the Griffins player of the game. The a big fourth set solidified Nowakowski the honours for the Huskies as he finished the match with a game-high 18 kills.

The Griffins and Huskies will play the second game in the weekend series Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. at City Center Gymnasium.