MVB: Round Two tickets claimed as teams sharpened their tools Friday
Here's your full day two recap
Day two of CW Men's Volleyball Playoff action saw entertaining match-ups as several teams secured their spots in Round Two set to take place next weekend. Saturday's games will reveal the fate for others.
Those games go ahead in three host sites across the country: Trinity Western (with help from Fraser Valley), Alberta and Winnipeg.
But first, let's catch you up on Friday's storylines.
Pool A
MRU vs TWU: The country's top-rated team, Trinity Western, continued to steamroll its competition Friday, making quick work of the Mount Royal Cougars. The Cougars came out strong in the second set, but the Spartans were quick to squash their momentum and swept Mount Royal in straight sets. Full recap here.
TRU vs BDN: The Brandon Bobcats hit the gas at the midway point of each set against the Thompson Rivers WolfPack Friday night. It allowed them to create enough distance from their opponent to beat them in straight sets. The Bobcats punched their second-round ticket with the win, while TRU sees their stage two hopes drain as they move to 0-2. Full recap here.
Pool B
SSK vs ALB: Two prairie foes entertained the crowed in Edmonton Friday, as phenomenal attacking and staggering defence took centre stage. The Ablerta Golden Bears worked with more efficiency than the Saskatchewan Huskies, however, allowing the former to sweep the latter in straight sets. The Golden Bears can now look forward to round two action next week, while the Huskies' hopes to stay alive hang in the balance with determining games Saturday. Full recap here.
UBC vs UFV: The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades made the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds sweat, extending the first three sets of Friday’s Canada West playoff clash to extra points, but the T-Birds ultimately fended off the Cascades’ upset bid and prevailed in four. Full recap here.
Pool C
UBCO vs WPG: This match was what playoff volleyball is all about. A marathon of ups and downs, screams and groans, and a program record-breaking performance from a local athlete. The UBCO Heat and the pool's top seed Winnipeg Wesmen went the distance Friday, with the Heat able to execute at a higher level to pull off the win despite fatigue from a heavy schedule going into the night. Both teams now sit at 1-1 and will be fighting for their spots in round two Saturday. Full game recap here.
MAN vs CGY: After a marathon match against UBCO Thursday, the Calgary Dinos made quicker work of the Manitoba Bisons Friday. The Dinos swept the Bisons to improve their round one record to 2-0. Full game recap here.
All these teams return to the hardcourt Saturday, in what promises to be some of the best competition yet, as the pools' top teams face off against each other.
Don't miss a moment by tuning in to Canda West TV presented by Co-op.
Saturday Schedule
Pool A at TWU / UFV
Trinity Western vs. Brandon – 8:00 pm @ Langley Events Centre
Mount Royal vs. Thompson Rivers – 6:00 pm @ UFV
Pool B at University of Alberta
Alberta vs. British Columbia – 8:00 pm
Saskatchewan vs. Fraser Valley – 3:00 pm
Pool C at University of Winnipeg
Winnipeg vs. Calgary – 6:00 pm
University of the British Columbia Okanagan vs. Manitoba – 7:45 pm
For the complete schedule and results, visit Playoff Central.
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