Courtesy: Huskie Athletics
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Four sports for everybody

Oct 19, 2023 | 10:00 PM

There will be lots of athletes and lots of team buses on the U of S campus for the October 20-21-22 weekend. Volleyball, soccer, hockey and football provide lots of options for sports fans.

The Huskie volleyball teams host Brandon in Friday and Saturday matches at the PAC. Saskatchewan’s men’s team finished in 4th place last season with a 17 and 7 record. This season the U of S was ranked 8th in the pre-season coach’s poll. Coach Sean McKay is dealing with some noticeable turnover on his roster. Star outside hitter Dylan Mortensen is among a number of players who have graduated from the program.

“He (Mortensen) and Levi (Olson) probably combined for 8 to 10 points a set,” said McKay. “Anytime there is turnover, there are issues, but also positives that come with that. To replace those players, we will probably be going to more of a sprinkle effect.”

McKay was asked to highlight some of the players that will have an increased presence this season. “Lucas Musschoot (2nd year/6’8”) is a young middle. He’ll carry a bigger role. Jefferson Morrow (4th year outside hitter) and Isiah Mamer (2nd year outside hitter) will see increased volume. It won’t be one person doing it all.”

The women’s volleyball team is hoping to improve on a 10 and 14, 2022-23 season. “I think we grew a lot last year”, said head coach Mark Dodds. Captain and setter Averie Allard, libero Jessica Andjelic and outside hitter Caet McCorkell are gone, meaning a new leadership team has emerged.

Outside hitters Mandi Faser and Olivia Mattern now take on added responsibility. “I coached both Mandi Fraser and Olivia Mattern in Grade 11 and 12 with the Canada Games team”, said Dodds. “The growth in both as volleyball players and as people is insane. They are just starting to peak now. It’s going to be exciting to see how they play this year.”

“We have eight players that are in their fourth, fifth and sixth years out of high school”, continued Dodds. “I think there is going to be lots of different people who will lead on the court and off the court. I think we are going to have the deepest team that we’ve had since I’ve been here.”

The men’s matches against the Bobcats are at 6pm on Friday and 3pm on Saturday at the PAC. The women’s matches are at 7:30pm (Friday) and 4:30pm (Saturday).

The men’s soccer team hosts the Alberta Golden Bears on Sunday at 2pm at Griffiths Stadium in the annual Bateman Cup. It’s the final match of the regular season for the Huskies, who lost 1-0 to MacEwan on Thursday night at Griffiths Stadium.

The men’s hockey team puts its 4 and 0 record on the line against the Regina Cougars on Friday night at 7pm at Merlis Belsher Place. The Huskies then travel to Regina on Saturday for the second game of the series.

The women’s hockey team, also 4 and 0, visits Regina Friday before hosting the Cougars on Saturday night at 7pm at Merlis Belsher Place.

All four hockey games can be heard on the free HuskieFAN app and HuskieFAN.ca

Following a 23-20 defeat to the Alberta Golden Bears last weekend, the Huskie football team looks to rebound at home against the Calgary Dinos. Saskatchewan sits in a second-place tie with UBC at 4 and 2 in the Canada West standings. The Dinos are 1 and 5 after upsetting the T-Birds last weekend. Kick off is at 4:00.

The Huskies defeated Calgary 28-12 back on September 22nd at McMahon Stadium.

The game can be heard on the free HuskieFAN app, starting with the Elk Ridge Resort Pre-Game Show at 3:45pm. Play-by-play, powered by PlayNOW.com, with Wray Morrison and Rich Gabruch starts at 4:00pm.

Visit: huskies.usask.ca for tickets.

wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

X/Twitter: @wraymorrison

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