CALGARY Saturday Feb. 20, 2010: Nerves turned into cheers for the Keyano College Huskies women’s volleyball team as they defeated the host SAIT Trojans (23-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-12) to capture the best-of-three Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference provincial qualifying playoff at the SAIT Campus Centre Gym.

The Huskies had won Friday night (18-25, 25-23, 25-21, 20-25, 15-13).

“We were a little nervous in the opening game and it took us a while to calm down...first set jitters. We played sloppy and were out of control a bit,” said Huskies third-year coach Melissa Laluk. “They (SAIT) came out aggressive and they had some big blocks and we were a little bit intimidated (losing 18-25).”

Down a few points in the second game, Laluk called timeout and after an emotional pep talk the Huskies came back strong (down 21-18)  to gain control of the game, winning 26-24. “We started to capitalize on the shots we made and we adjusted to their blocks.”

“I am really impressed with the way the girls played. They stayed focused.”

Named Game MVP for the Huskies, Sara Bizovie led the attack with 12 kills. Melissa Dimond chipped in with 10. Dimond also had three blocks at the net.

Stephanie Jackson, a 5-foot-9 left side, believes the Huskies now have momentum on their side as they advance to the ACAC's provincial championship tournament in Edmonton and hosted by the Grant MacEwan Griffiths from Feb. 26-28.

“We are very very excited. We have won our last five matches and we have good momentum,” said Jackson, who had six kills and 15 digs. “We had a lot more confidence this weekend then SAIT did. We also wanted to redeem ourselves from last year (SAIT beat the Trojans in the 2008-2009 qualifying round). We made smart shots and we had confidence in ourselves.”

The last time the Huskies women’s volleyball qualified for provincials, which was also their first time, was in 2003-2004 with Sheldon Germain as head coach.

“This is a pretty big deal for us to make it a second time now,” admitted Jackson, a four-year veteran playing her last season wearing Huskies colours. “We want to prove to the other schools and we want to improve our reputation. We want to and will play our best (at provincials) and prove to the other schools that we are in the running.”

Another four -year player, Kim Blatchford, from Kelvington, Saskatchewan, said the team is “peaking at the right time.”

“We really came together as a team this weekend,” said Blatchford, who plays the libero position. “Through the good and the bad we worked together as a team. I am so proud. We may be considered the underdogs (heading into provincials) but we have always been the underdogs and we are going in to prove ourselves. We have a lot to give...they may have underestimated us so we can take it to them.”

Huskies opening opponent in the provincial double knockout tournament will be the Mount Royal Cougars. Games will be broadcast on the internet provider www.sportscanada.tv

Sara Bizovie Huskies Game MVP 12 kills

Photo courtesy Dan Lines