Cougars beat Wesmen to send seniors out in style

Max Campbell, Mount Royal Cougars Sports Information 

CALGARY, AB –With a five-set victory (25-22, 22-25, 29-27, 21-25, 15-13) over the University of Winnipeg Wesmen, the Mount Royal University Cougars men's volleyball team was victorious at Kenyon Court. Friday evening marked the final home game for fifth-year players Grigor Kartev, Lucas King, Andrew McWilliam, Jordan Parkin and Michael Wickstrom.

An early opening-set deadlock was broken as Josh Kirkham of the Cougars soared high above the net for an uncontested kill. Winnipeg's Logan Brennan then crashed into the first row before the ball was eventually returned, but Mount Royal would go on to win rally, as well as the all-important first set. 

In the second, Parkin scored consecutive points for the Cougars before a pair of defensive errors by the home team tied the set at 12 apiece. A service ace from the Wesmen moved the visitors to within two points of a tie and they would soon take the lead for good, with Brendan Thielmann's strike blocked out of bounds.

McWilliam found the open court in the third set, although an 8-5 deficit resulted in a timeout called by the Cougars. A solo block courtesy of Tanner Greves soon enabled Mount Royal to take a one-point advantage, and despite temporarily surrendering the lead, the Cougars ultimately hung on for a 29-27 decision.

A total of 17 kills in the fourth to go along with 36 assists helped pave the way for Winnipeg to force a fifth and final set. Mount Royal trailed 7-1 early on and appeared primed for a comeback until the Wesmen posted three straight points for the win.

The fifth set went to down to the wire as the momentum swung back and forth. In the end, a Kirkham kill sealed the win for the Cougars.

The Cougars conclude their home schedule with a 5-6 record and currently sit at 11-11 overall. Meanwhile, Winnipeg is now 14-8 heading into the final weekend of the season.

A pair of games in Kelowna versus the UBC Okanagan Heat is all that remains for Mount Royal. The Wesmen will finish their regular season by hosting the undefeated Alberta Golden Bears next Friday and Saturday.

Photo Credit: Adrian Shellard