Vikings Take Ooks 3-1 in Edmonton
The NAIT Ooks hosted the Augustana Viking on Saturday night at the NAIT gymnasium. The Ooks got off to a sensational start with 3 unanswered points a row. After the delayed response, the Vikings checked into the game and within a few points tied the leading Ooks. The Vikings looked to Brooke McBride for points off the block and Addison Wolosuk for digs to quickly pull away from the Ooks. On the other side of the net, Anika Dyck, libero of the Ooks, laid out for her team, keeping them within striking distance. Halfway through the set the Ooks called for a time out, hoping to stall the Vikings' momentum. The first set saw exceptional defense from both sides but the visiting Vikings eventually took the lead.
The set ended at 25-15.
The second set saw the Ooks get off to another hot start with a outstanding kills from Jessice Zilinski and Anna Atcheyynum. Tanisha McQueen of the Ooks also took advantage of her height at the net, slamming a free ball back into Vikings territory for a kill. The Vikings at first seemed rattled by the offensive power coming from the Ooks, but eventually broke through their point drought with Taryn Watson finding a kill. Emily Peterson was also an essential piece of the Vikings side, executing various blocks against the Ooks offense. At 20-20 the Ooks called a time out hoping to lock down the final points of the set. The final points of the set saw both teams go point for point.
The Ooks eventually took the set at 28-26.
The Vikings took a quick lead at the start of the third set, pulling ahead of the Ooks 9-3. The Ooks called a time out at that point, hoping to find more of the rhythm from their second set. Out of the time out McQueen from NAIT made a statement block looking to rally her team. This was followed by an outstanding kill by NAIT's Makenna Doyle. Not to be outdone, the Vikings saw Shae Boyes rise to the challenge, striking down a free ball for an assertive kill.
The Vikings kept their momentum for the rest of setting eventually taking set three, 25-16.
The second set went point for point, with each time looking for their heavy hitters to find a kill. Both teams also looked to their Liberos, Dyck for the Ooks and Racquel Lussier for the Vikings, to ground their defensive play. At 14-14 the Ooks called a timeout and looked to push the match to a 5th set. The point for point play continued through the final half of the set with each team hungry for the win.
The Vikings won the set 25-23 and the game 3-1.
Players of the Game:
UAA: #8 Shae Boyes
NAIT: #13 Jessica Zilinski