SASKATOON - The visiting Brandon University Bobcats opened the second half of the Canada West women's volleyball season with a 3-1 (25-15, 22-25, 25-23, 25-8) win over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Friday night at the PAC.
 
Victoria Dakin led the Bobcats to the victory recording a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs. Shanlee McLennan added another eight kills and 12 digs for Brandon. Mary Thomson and Donata Huebert each tallied a match-high 15 digs.
 
Anne Hanbidge led the Huskies with 14 kills and eight digs. Rookie Ruby Stefan added another nine kills and eight digs, while setter Jina Barker also had a match-high 15 digs.
 
With the win, Brandon improves to 9-6 on the season. Saskatchewan drops to 4-11.
 
Brandon had control in the first and fourth sets building large leads early to sink the Huskies. The Bobcats won 25-15 in the first set and 25-8 in the fourth.
 
The middle sets proved to be evenly matched as each team matched the other up the point ladder.
 
Tied at 18 a Huskie attack error followed by a back row kill by McLennan gave the Bobcats at 20-18 lead. But once again the Huskies tied the set scoring the next two points on a Hanbidge kill and a Kayla Tycholiz block. A Tycholiz and Emmalyn Copping block gave Saskatchewan the 21-20 lead. Tycholiz continued her strong play in the set with an attack down the middle that led to a two point lead and forced the Bobcats to a timeout. With the Huskies at match point, Brandon was returned the ball on a block. But on the next play a Copping kill that couldn't be dug up gave Saskatchewan the 25-22 win.
 
The Bobcats took a commanding lead in the third set before the Huskies came back to take an 18-17 lead. But Brandon found its stride again scoring the next three points to force the Huskies to a timeout. Saskatchewan pulled back to a 23-23 tie but the Bobcats scored the next two points for the 25-23 win.
 
The two teams will meet again Saturday night at the PAC in Saskatoon. First serve is slated for 6 p.m. and can be viewed on canadawest.tv