Women's Volleyball Huskies outlast Thunder in five-set battle

The Keyano Huskies Women's Volleyball team earned their first win of 2022 in their first opportunity, claiming a five-set victory (25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 25-27, 15-12) against the Concordia Thunder at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre in Fort McMurray, Alta. 

"I'm happy with the win," said Head Coach Kira Sutcliffe. "I think both teams really fought hard so it was nice to see them come out with a win though.

"Winning the first two [sets], I think they thought it was going to be an easy game, but Concordia really stepped up and was really scrappy like we knew they were going to be. Coming back in the fifth showed a lot of character from the girls."

After the Huskies claimed the first two sets, the Thunder found the resolve to push back in the match with a pair of set victories of their own. In a tight fifth set, the Huskies were able to edge their visiting opponents to claim their second win of the season and first of 2022 in their first opportunity.

Tyneille Neufeld once again played a key role in the Huskies' offence with 16 kills, adding a service ace and 22 digs. 

Raisa Stokes collected 24 digs to lead the Huskies in that category while Erika Box picked up 10 digs to go along with 39 assists, a pair of kills, and two aces. 

"I think we were passing really good and we converted a lot," noted Stokes. "We were able to swing off that but tomorrow we just need to execute better in the middle so we don't go five again."

Megan Polant and Lainey Granley each recorded nine kills in the contest, with Lauren Huntley adding six of her own in the match. Tanisha McQueen and Neufeld tied for the team lead with a pair of blocks each. 

Jamie Ferns got into the match late with a sharp kill that seemed to spark the Huskies at the right time.

"She came off the bench really well," said Sutcliffe. "She got some big blocks for us, her voice was really needed out there, so it was good leadership to see on the floor."

Countering for the Thunder, Kara McIntyre and Jolene Cook each had 12 kills while the duo also had 16 and 11 digs, respectively. 

Emma Derbyshire led her side with 32 assists while also collecting 12 digs and three kills. Emma Thompson factored into the Thunder's effort on both sides of the ball as well, collecting nine kills, five digs, one block, and also had one of the Thunder's four aces in the match. 

Stokes and Cook each earned Player of the Game honours for their respective sides. 

The two teams will clash for the second time this weekend on Saturday, January 15 at 3:00 p.m. inside the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre.