Huskies Weather the Storm, Defeat Brandon to Advance to Canada West Quarterfinals

SASKATOON, Sask. - The University of Saskatchewan Huskies booked their tickets to the Canada West Quarterfinals Friday night (Feb. 20), topping the Brandon Bobcats 3-1 at the Physical Activity Complex.

After a tight battle through four sets, a late surge in the third and controlled play in the fourth propelled the Huskies into the next round of postseason action. 

With the match tied at one set apiece, and the third wrapped up in back-and-forth momentum, Saskatchewan broke through at a key moment to swing the match in its favour. Back-to-back service aces from the senior outside hitter Aaron Elser helped the Huskies close the pivotal third set 27-25, a turning point that sparked confidence and lifted the home side into the finishing stretch. 

"That was huge," said Huskie head coach Sean McKay. "I think the guys weathered a storm in a really tough setting, so it's really nice to see them bounce back after kind of a shaky set and a half. That's something we can add to our tool belt as we progress through the playoffs. It's not an easy thing to do." 

Saskatchewan looked sharp early, riding balanced offence and aggressive serving to a 25-17 opening set win. Brandon responded with urgency in the second set, capitalizing on errors and tightening its defence to even the match 1-1 with a 25-22 frame. 

The third set became the defining stretch of the night, as neither side relented with momentum shifting several times. After trading points and multiple ties late, Elser's aces and timely kills from Isaiah Mamer gave Saskatchewan the close set win that ultimately proved decisive.

In the fourth, the Huskies carried that momentum forward. Saskatchewan held the Bobcats to .261 hitting in the set and converted side-out opportunities efficiently, sealing the set 25-17 and the match.

Mamer finished with a team high 16 kills and 18.5 points, pacing the Huskies' offence. Emmett Graham added 12 kills, while Jacob Baird was efficient with six kills on .400 hitting. Setter Noah Opseth ran the offence with 45 assists as Saskatchewan hit .257 as a team on the night. 

On the other side, Brandon was led by Liam Kindle's 16 kills and 18 points. The Bobcats hit .222 in the match, consistently pushing Saskatchewan and extending key rallies throughout the contest.

With the victory, Saskatchewan moves on to the Canada West Quarterfinals against the Trinity Western Spartans, who are set to host game one next Thursday (Feb. 26) at 7 pm (CST). The Spartans secured a high seed with a strong regular season finish, and the Huskies will travel with momentum and confidence after tonight's hard-fought win. 

The upcoming matchup presents a new challenge for Saskatchewan, as Trinity Western's balanced attack and playoff experience will test the Huskies' consistency. But tonight's result, a win forged through poise, resilience and timely execution, gives McKay's squad reason for optimism as it aims to extend its season deeper into Canada West competition.