WVB weekend recap:
On Friday the Av's got off to a slow start in the first set against the Mariners but became much more competitive in the second set, thanks to third year setter Winter Knudsgaard coming into the game and bringing some much-needed energy. The Av's pushed back in the third and fourth sets playing excellent team volleyball. Stevie Friesen made some timely digs and Krista McKnight kept the Av's side out game efficient and didn't allow the Mariners any long serving runs. The fifth set was a nail biter and both teams played excellently, but unfortunately the Av's came up two points short of victory.
"On Friday night we started the game with a lot of nerves and had a difficult time earning points during the first set," said coach Bryan Fraser. "After that we settled in and got back to playing our gritty style of volleyball. I was super impressed with our determination after going down 0-2 and fighting back to a thrilling fifth set. When our team plays as a connected unit, we truly feel like we can beat anyone in this league and that fifth set was SO close!
The following day, the Av's started the match really well, but a few big serving runs from the Mariners caused them some trouble they never really recovered from. VIU played an offensive game and the Avalanche had trouble making break points. Hannah Zurakowski quarterbacked the offence and played excellent defense, but unfortunately it wasn't quite enough.
"Saturday was a more difficult match for us," Fraser said. "We had lapses in our connectivity at times and it made for an up and down game. At times we were brilliant, creative, and gritty, but we couldn't sustain it which is dangerous against a team like VIU that doesn't let you off the hook. Our job this week is to find our rhythm, so we're prepared for our trip to CBC. "
