Trojans dump Kodiaks in three
CALGARY, ALTA., (Jan. 18, 2019) — The SAIT Trojans women's volleyball team was in a good mood Friday night.
Those positive vibes translated to a quick 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-14) victory over the visiting Lethbridge College Kodiaks in their Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) game played inside SAIT's Campus Centre.
"Our biggest thing tonight was to stay focused on what was happening on our side of the net," said Trojans middle Simran Dhami (5th year, Golden, BC, Bachelor of Business Administration). "We did a good job of doing what we worked on in practice all week."
SAIT moves to 12-5 on the season. The struggling Kodiaks fall to 2-13.
Despite controlling most of the match, SAIT went to sleep late in the first set and nearly paid for it. Leading 23-15, the Trojans gave up the next seven points to let Lethbridge back in the set.
Luckily for the Trojans, a service error by Lethbridge and an ensuing ace by veteran Hayli Hinchey (5th year, Edmonton, Alta., Bachelor of Business Administration) closed out the set.
"That was a mental error on our part," Dhami explained. "Before the game, we talked about this game being one we have to stay mentally strong and keep engaged, and we didn't do that in the first set."
From then on out, it was all Trojans.
Taylor Ellis (4th year, Nanaimo, BC, Legal Assistant) led the Trojans with eight kills, while Dhami added six kills and three blocks.
LeeAnne Arnott led the Kodiaks with nine kills.
In a second half that notoriously goes by fast, beating the teams you're supposed to is integral, Dhami said. Earning a sweep on Saturday in the rematch between these teams will be big.
"You can't overlook anyone at this stage of the season, "she said. "Every point counts. Every win counts. We need to have that same mentality tomorrow because we know they're going to play better in their own gym.