WVB: White leads dominant Pandas attack to victory over Wesmen

EDMONTON - The University of Alberta Pandas clinched a berth in Round 2 of the Canada West playoffs with a straight set (25-9, 28-26, 25-15) victory over the University of Winnipeg Wesmen Friday evening at the Saville Centre.

With the loss the Wesmen are now eliminated from Round 2 contention, as they previously lost to the UBC Thunderbirds in four sets Thursday evening.

Alberta was led by fifth-year standout Kory White who finished with a game-high 13 kills. Five Pandas reached seven kills in the game as setter Justine Kolody had a notable performance as well with 36 assists.

Ashley Laube was a leader for the Wesmen, recording 10 kills and 12 digs, both team-highs.

Alberta showcased their immense attacking depth in the first set, with five starters finishing with at least two kills. Kolody had a remarkable set as the orchestrater of the Alberta attack, finishing with a set-high 11 assists to go with two total blocks. The Wesmen were unable to get their #1 CW ranked offence going; struggling to the tune of a -0.029 hitting percentage. Winnipeg's Taylor Kleysen did, however, finish with a set-high four kills. The Pandas cruised past Winnipeg to win the first set 25-9.

Winnipeg certainly regained form in the second set, but a surging Pandas team won in extras 28-26. The Winnipeg injection of setter Portia Switzer, third in assists per set in CW play, aided the Wesmen attack to more than double their kills from the previous set. With a 24-23 Alberta set point, the teams went back and forth for what was an incredible rally, finished off by the Wesmen's Laube to move to extras.

Emma Parker, the regular season leader in kills for the Wesmen, had a resurgent frame leading the set in kills with six. The Pandas were paced by fWhite, who is the CW leader in hitting percentage, with five kills herself.

As was the story all game, the third set was dominated by an efficient and powerful Alberta attack, who took the set 25-15. White was phenomenal, netting 5 kills on 11 attempts in the frame.

The Pandas were very strong at the net, recording 12 total blocks to Winnipeg's three.

With the win, the Pandas are set up for a massive game against the UBC Thunderbirds tomorrow at 6 PM MST. An Alberta win would see the Pandas host a Round 2 pool next weekend, whereas a UBC win likely sees them travel to Saskatoon as their 9-7 regular season record is worse than both Trinity Western and Saskatchewan's.

The Wesmen finish their season with a 3 PM MST date against the eliminated Regina Cougars.