Photo credit Josh Schaefer Photography
SASKATOON (CIS) – Fourth-year left side Jordan Nowakowski powered the host-University of Saskatchewan Huskies to a 3-1 (26-24, 23-25, 25-19, 25-15) victory over the York University Lions in the consolation final of the CIS Men’s Volleyball Championship at the Physical Activity Complex in Saskatoon.
Nowakowski was dominant in the match tallying a game-high 21 kills and 22.5 points in the match. He recorded five kills in the first set, seven in the second, seven in the third and one in the final set. He added three digs and three assisted blocks.
With the win, Saskatchewan finishes fifth at the championship for the first time in 18 appearances on the national stage. It was the first appearance at the CIS Championship for the Huskies since an eighth place finish in 2005-06. It was York’s first appearance at the event in 10 seasons.
“This is a great way to end for our guys,” said Huskie head coach Brian Gavlas. “Hosting is tough and there are lots of distractions. When you’re on the road you are able to keep everybody together, go over the game plan, things like that. We responded very well after that first round matchup. To end off with two wins is a good way to end the season.”
The Huskies had a 17-12 lead in the first set before York’s fifth-year All-Canadian Ray Szeto and CIS Rookie of the Year Josh Henderson led the Lions to a 22-22 tie. The teams tied twice more before a fifth-year right side Matthew Busse and Nowakowski attacks stopped York’s bid for the comeback for the 26-24 win.
Matching point-for-point in the second set, two Josh Henderson kills and a Busse attack that sailed long put the Lions at set point. Busse returned the ball to Saskatchewan on an attack that painted the line, before Henderson did the same on the next play for the 25-23.
Saskatchewan jumped out to a 7-2 lead to start the third set. York pulled within two at 16-14 after a Marko Dakic attack, but it was as close as the Lions could come. Saskatchewan won the set 25-19.
Much like the third, the Huskies jumped to a large lead York couldn’t recover from. A Lions attack error ended the set 25-15.
“All weekend, the boys have been fighting I think the guys fought hard today,” said York head coach Mike Chumbley. “I think the Huskies with the home crowd and a very experienced coach were just a little bit better than us. I thought our serve receive and our free ball pass were weak.”
Busse and fellow fifth-year Paul Thomson were also strong in win for Saskatchewan tallying 13 and 12 kills, respectively. Busse, who was named the player of the match, added another eight digs.
Henderson led the Lions in the loss with 13 kills and eight digs, while fifth-year Szeto tallied another 11 kills in his final CIS match. Jules Muhawe led the Lions in digs with 12.
STAT LEADERS
York
Kills: Josh Henderson (13), Ray Szeto (11)
Points: Josh Henderson (14.5)
Blocks: Arthur Swarcz (2)
Digs: Jules Muhawe (12)
Service aces: Arthur Swarcz
Player of the match: Josh Henderson
Saskatchewan
Kills: Jordan Nowakowski (21), Matthew Busse (13), Paul Thomson (12)
Points: Jordan Nowakowski (22.5)
Blocks: Robert Graham (4)
Digs: Matthew Busse (8)
Service aces: Paul Thomson, Troy Wiebe (3)
Player of the match: Matthew Busse
CHAMPIONSHIP
SCHEDULE & RESULTS (all times CENTRAL TIME)
Thursday, February 26
13:00 Quarter-final #1: No. 2 Dalhousie 3, No. 7 York 2 (25-23,
25-19, 25-27, 16-25, 15-13)
15:00 Quarter-final #2: No. 3 Alberta 3, No. 6 Waterloo 0 (25-14,
25-12, 25-22)
18:00 Quarter-final #3: No. 5 Trinity Western 3, No. 4 Laval 0
(25-14, 25-14, 25-19)
20:00 Quarter-final #4: No. 1 McMaster 3, No. 8 Saskatchewan 0
(26-24, 25-20, 25-18)
Friday, February 27
13:00 Consolation #1: York 3, Waterloo 2 (25-20, 22-25, 25-16,
23-25, 16-14)
15:00 Consolation #2: Saskatchewan 3, Laval 1 (19-25, 26-24, 25-15,
25-14)
18:00 Semifinal #1: Alberta 3, Dalhousie 0 (25-22, 25-21,
25-19)
20:00 Semifinal #2: Trinity Western 3, McMaster 1 (28-26, 25-27,
25-17, 26-24)
Saturday, February 28
14:00 5th place: Saskatchewan 3, York 1 (26-24, 23-25, 25-19,
25-15) (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
16:00 Bronze medal: Dalhousie vs McMaster (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
19:00 Championship final: Trinity Western vs Alberta (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
