Kayla Kievits, Cougars Athletics
CALGARY – A big comeback for the Bobcats on night two facing off against the Cougars. After a match loss the previous night the Bobcats comeback to win in four sets in their second game of the weekend. The final scores for the Bobcats were, 25-20, 25-16 and 22-25 and 27-25
The Booster Juice Player of the Game for the Bobcats was Nikala Majewski, and for the Cougars Carly Davies. Davies tied with Cassidy Kitchen for most attacks on the Cougars with a total of 12 each. Majewski led the Bobcats with 16 attacks, followed by Rayvn Wiebe with 10. The Bobcats consistent serving helped lead them to a win with a total serve percentage of 0.918 compared to the Cougars 0.865.
After a loss on night one the Bobcats came out ready to fight in set one. Float serves gave the Bobcats a few aces, which pushed them to an early lead. When the Cougars fell behind 9-13 they called their first timeout to regroup. Although the Cougars were able to regain the serve following the timeout the Bobcats were the first to 16 and the Cougars remained behind 11-16 at the technical timeout. Consistent serving from the Bobcats allowed them to keep their lead. The Cougars made multiple substitutions to try and change their momentum on the floor. The Cougars were unable to close the gap the Bobcats had created and the Bobcats won the set 25-22 as the Cougars missed their serve on game point.
The Bobcats had found their rhythm and stuck to it entering the second set. Unable to gain a single point the Cougars quickly called their first timeout 0-5. Yet again the Bobcats serving set them apart from the Cougars and allowed them to keep their lead. A missed attack from the Cougars gave the Bobcats a six-point advantage, 16-10 entering the technical timeout. The Bobcats picked up their offence as their lead continued to grow. They found the holes in the Cougars defense and increased their lead to eight points 20-12. Only a few points later the Cougars used their second timeout of the set down 15-22. The Bobcats were unstoppable and a kill from Sami Love ended the set 25-16.
Down two sets, the Cougars felt the pressure and picked up the pace as they started the third set. The set started closer than the previous two, but the Bobcats were still able to gain the lead they had kept throughout the entire game. Down 5-8 the Cougars called a timeout and regained the serve. A few strong blocks from the Cougars brought them back into the game and tied the score at nine. A strategic tip from the Bobcat’s Michelle Egger made them the first to 16, up by one at the technical timeout. The Cougars picked up their defense and tied the score again at 20. With the two teams, even the Bobcats called a timeout. Unable to gain the next two points the Bobcats quickly called another timeout when the Cougars took the lead for the first time, 22-20. The Cougars kept their momentum and a kill from Carly Davies ended the set 25-22 keeping the Cougars in the match.
With fire under their belts, the Cougars kept the fourth set close. The teams went point for point, and when the Bobcats pulled ahead by two the Cougars called their first timeout, 7-9. The Bobcats continued to capitalize on their lead and forced the Cougars to call their second timeout down 9-13. At the technical timeout the Bobcats remained ahead 16-12. After the timeout, the Cougars came back to make it a one-point game 15-16. The Cougars put up strong blocks at the net and were able to take the lead. Down 19-22 the Bobcats called their first timeout hoping to seal the win on the match. The Bobcats regained the serve and were able to tie the set at 22. A back row shot from the Bobcats made them the first to 24, but after a missed attack the set was tied once again. After a close fought battle an attack from Bobcats Nikala Majewski ended the set 27-25, and secured the match win.
Bobcats Sami Love said, “The difference between tonight and yesterday’s game was definitely focus. We let the new crowd and facility get in our heads, but tonight we came back from that.”
After a split weekend, the Cougars hit the road for their next two games. They will return home for their last games of 2018 on November 30. First serve is at 6 p.m. against Regina.
