Men's Volleyball Huskies sweep final weekend to clinch third place

The final weekend of the regular season was a productive one for the Keyano Huskies Men's Volleyball team, who picked up three wins in three opportunities. 

In doing so, the Huskies also ensured themselves of a third-place finish in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference's (ACAC) North Division setting up a home playoff date in early March. 

"It was a nice win to clinch third place, not necessarily our goal coming into the season, but nice to clinch third and have one of those playoff games at home in March," Head Coach Keegan Kuhr said. "We'll check it off the list and we'll move forward from here." 

The Huskies' weekend began with a straight-sets victory (25-15, 25-23, 25-16) at home against the visiting University of Alberta - Augustana Vikings Friday. Radek Brzozowski led the Huskies with 10 kills while also adding a team-leading five aces. Chance Wilkins, playing the final home game of his ACAC career, guided the offence with 29 assists, adding three digs, a kill and a block. 

"I thought it was good; happy we could win in three," Wilkins said of Friday's game. "A little bit slow in the second, but we still got it done, so no complaints." 

A day later in Edmonton, the Huskies needed four sets (25-13, 23-25, 25-19, 25-16) to dispatch of their hosts from the Concordia Thunder. Brzozowski and teammate Trey Weinmeier each had 12 kills in the match while Athus Silva had nine. Wilkins once again paced the offence with 34 assists, adding 13 digs, one kill, and one block. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Preston Yole led the Huskies with four blocks while Silva was close behind with three. 

Sunday, the Huskies rose to the challenge in their regular season finale, topping The King's University Eagles in five sets (26-24, 26-24, 20-25, 18-25, 15-6). While it didn't change any part of the standings, it gave the Huskies some added belief against a team they'll face if they progress past the first round of ACAC Men's Volleyball Playoffs. 

"King's has had our number this year," Kuhr noted. "Think we've played them six times and we beat them once before that. Finishing off with a win against King's, it was good to beat them in their building.

"It'll give us some confidence as we roll into playoffs."

What impressed Kuhr was the team's focus in a three-in-three weekend. With their last foray into a similar style of weekend a recent negative memory, this one now serves as a positive to counteract.

"Both games, I thought we found consistency in our preparation," Kuhr said. "Good preparation for all three matches, which is something we've I think struggled with this year, being able to prepare for an opponent, but still keep the level that we expect on our side of the court." 

The Huskies will now take a three-week break before beginning their 2022 playoff drive at home.