Trojans Dispatch Lions in Three Sets

One night after beating the Trojans in their own gym across town, the Lions suffered a home loss of their own in straight sets on Saturday night. Trojan blocking and defense countered a lackluster Lions offense, as the home team fell flat in too many areas of play to give themselves a fighting chance.

Most of the first set was played back-and-forth, as the teams kept it even until the final points. Down 19-21, Lions middle Willow Lewington hit a powerful line shot to bring her team to within one point, but from there the Trojans would make a 4-point run to close out the first set 25-20. Hayli Hinchey, swinging on the left side for the Trojans, had trouble with the Ambrose block early on but found a few clutch kills late in the set.

The Lions turned things around for almost all of the second set, leading 17-11 before SAIT strung together a few points behind a Jadyn Leong serving run and took it to 17-15. First year outside hitter Makayla Beisal had a standout performance, picking up 4 stuff blocks and 4 kills to earn herself the night's Player of the Game award.   The Lions kept their lead until the set victory was within striking distance (23-19), but before they could equalize the sets the visiting Trojans took 6 straight points to win 25-23.

Now with all of the momentum behind them, the Trojans sat firmly in the driver's seat and early closed out the third set 25-15. SAIT Player of the Game Simran Dhami, a 5th year middle who recently claimed the #1 spot on the ACAC's all-time blocks list, was unstoppable from the middle and a big factor in the Trojans' victory.

Next weekend the Lions will face the Medicine Hat Rattlers, in the Lion's Den on Friday and in the Snake Pit on Saturday. The women's games start at 6:00 pm with the men to follow.