Trojans can't close out Lions

CALGARY, ALTA., (Dec. 4, 2019) - Despite losing their last game before the long holiday break, the SAIT Trojans women's volleyball team have no reason to hang their heads.

In what was arguably their best game of what has been a tough start to the year, the SAIT Trojans came up short, losing 3-2 (21-25, 29-27, 23-25, 25-16, 16-14) to the visiting Ambrose University Lions.

"We're getting better every minute," said Trojans head coach Art O'Dwyer. "The only issue is it's just not fast enough. We have to learn that at the end of games we have to execute, and we didn't do that tonight."

SAIT will go into 2020 with a 2-12 record. Ambrose improves to 10-4.

"We've been working hard, and they have been doing what we have asked them to do," O'Dwyer stated. "From there, it makes it easier to continue on that path of getting better."

The Trojans earned wins in Set 1 and 3, but allowed the Lions to dominate Set 4 to send it to a fifth set.

In the final set, the Trojans started extremely well. When the teams switched sides, SAIT was leading 8-1.

Ambrose started climbing back after that, cutting the lead to 14-11 at one point.

From there, Ambrose took the next five points to win the set 16-14, and the match 3-2.

"We need to learn what our tendencies are when we're playing tight," O'Dwyer said. "We at least put ourselves in a position to win, which is good."

Jadyn Leong (3rd year, Calgary, Business Administration) led the Trojans with 18 kills, four service aces and 10 digs). Setter Linnea Brickwood (2nd year, Kamloops, BC, Nutrition for Healthy Lifestyles) added 32 assists, four service aces and 14 digs.

Madeline Williscroft led the Lions with 17 kills.

SAIT will resume their schedule Jan. 10 and 11 when they host the Briercrest College Clippers for a pair of games.