Box Score HAMILTION, ON – For the first time since 2016, the Saskatchewan Huskies are at the national championship. Seeded seventh in the 2023 U SPORTS Men's Volleyball Championship presented by Mikasa, the Huskies would go up against the second seed McMaster Marauders in front of a packed house on Friday at the Burridge Gym on the McMaster University campus. 
 
The Huskies would ultimately fall to the Marauders in three sets (19-25, 20-25, 20-25). 
 
It was a rough start for the Huskies in set one, as they took an early 5-1 deficit to the Marauders before taking a timeout. Saskatchewan would rally back to bring things within two points, before a McMaster timeout at 12-14 would slow the game down for the Dogs. With some incredible kills from Levi Olson and Dylan Mortensen, the Huskies would stay in the game, but McMaster would take the first set 25-19. 
 
A settled Huskies squad would take to the court in set two, with some early kills from Quinn Buchanan and Mortensen. The set went back and forth, with strong offensive drives from both teams, before the Marauders would start to take the lead at 13-13. The Huskies would take a timeout trailing by three points at 13-16. McMaster would continue to dominate the set, driving to a 22-17 lead before a Saskatchewan timeout. The momentum would stay with the Marauders as they moved on to a 25-20 win, taking the two set lead.
 
Set three would start with an 8-6 lead for McMaster before a five-point run by the Huskies would give Saskatchewan the 11-8 lead. Saskatchewan would take a timeout at 12-12 to stop McMaster's momentum, and take the lead at 15-12, before a Marauders timeout. Sam Cooper and Brendan Mills of McMaster would have some key kills to give the Marauders the 21-19 lead before Saskatchewan would take a timeout. McMaster would go on to win 25-20 and take the game in three sets. 
 
KEY PERFORMANCES
Leading the way for the Huskies was Dylan Mortensen, with eight kills, ten digs, and one service ace. Jacob Rapin had 26 assists, and Ethan Smith led the team with 15 digs. McMaster's Sam Cooper would lead with 10 kills, and one service ace, with Brendan Mills adding nine kills. Robbie Fujisawa led the game with 32 assists. Huskie outside hitter Quinn Buchanan was named the player of the game for Saskatchewan, with six kills, three blocks and eight points. 
 
NEXT UP
The Huskies now head to the consolation side of the 2023 U SPORTS Men's Volleyball Championship bracket, and will compete against the Montreal Carabins on Saturday, March 18 at 1:00 CST. Game can be streamed live on CBCSports.ca.