SASKATOON – For the second season in a row, the Huskies will compete in the CIS men’s volleyball championship. Last year, the dogs were given a birth to play in the national championship strictly because the University of Saskatchewan was hosting the event.
But this year, the Huskies truly earned their spot.
Saskatchewan is heading to nationals as one of the hottest teams in the CIS. The dogs rattled off six wins in a row to close out the regular season, securing fifth place in the Canada West standings.
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The dogs kicked off the playoffs by upsetting the Winnipeg Wesmen in the quarter-finals. Then the Huskies knocked off the Manitoba Bisons in the Canada West semi-final.
“It’s a great feeling,” said Huskies middle blocker Tyler Epp. “Our semi-final, winning that is a memory that I’ll have forever.”
The Huskies magical ride came to a halt in the Canada West final. The Trinity Western Spartans defeated the Huskies in four sets, preventing Saskatchewan from winning its first Canada West banner since 2004.
“It definitely hurts at the time, watching them celebrate, watching them get the gold medal,” said Epp.
But the Huskies have put that defeat behind them. After all, they still have plenty to play for. Saskatchewan’s silver medal performance in the Canada West final four tournament earned the Huskies a spot at nationals.
“We’re looking forward to the match up and the tournament,” said Huskies head coach, Brian Gavlas. “And we feel that if we’re playing well and playing to the best of our ability, we’ll have a good shot.”
The 2016 CIS men’s volleyball championship kicks off on Thursday.
The No. 5-seeded Huskies will square off against the No. 4-ranked UNB Varsity Reds in the quarter-finals. A win for Saskatchewan would bring the Huskies one step closer to winning their first national title since 2004.
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