By Jake McLarney

OLDS, AB – Olds College Broncos women's volleyball team lost 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-23) to the SAIT Trojans in the Olds College Student Appreciation Night Friday, January 24, 2020.

The game started off easy with a few short rallies with Olds putting the pressure on right away with their passing, well placed serves, and offense all-around. The points went back and forth with the Broncos leading most of the set. SAIT tied it up twice earlier on in the set and the biggest point differential was 7-2 for Olds. SAIT fought to come back and tied it up at 11-11 but the Broncos kept forcing very tough serves and hits onto the SAIT side. SAIT called a timeout while losing 22-19 and battled to take the lead at 25-24 where the Broncos decided to call a timeout of their own. The Trojans would take the set in a close rally placing the ball in the corner just out of reach of the Broncos defense to make the set 26-24.

Both teams would start of the second half set with very similar lineups. SAIT began strong but the Broncos were not quick to forget the set they were shorted and through some great passing and hitting were able to take the lead quickly. SAIT would eventually tie the game up at 13-13 and forced the Broncos to call a timeout where they brought in Maya Jovic. The game would stay within a point until the Trojans took the lead 23-20 where the Broncos called a timeout. They were working hard to make tough passes but were rarely able to get a strong hit which is one of their greatest strengths. The Trojans eventually took the set 25-21.

The third set started better for the Broncos with the same lineup but a slightly altered playstyle. They were still getting to the tough hits and tips but now they were starting to utilize them and forcing SAIT to make some good passes or concede. They managed to get up 10-4 until SAIT went on a five point unbeaten streak and forced the Broncos to call the first timeout of the set. The points went back and forth from then on. Olds called a timeout with SAIT at 24 points to try one last push, but the ball from SAIT's hit fell short and they ended up losing 25-23

Player of the game for SAIT was Jadyn Leon with team high 13 digs and game high 17 kills, and the Pit Barbecue Player of the Game for Olds was Avery Gammel with a team high 23 assists and game high four service aces.

SAIT edged the Broncos in kills 36-26, assists 32-26, aces 8-7, and digs 49-46. Both teams had two blocks. Tabitha Martin had a team high 10 kills and one block, Francesca Sandini had a team high 14 digs and Janeen Pellatt had a block for Olds.

The Broncos host Red Deer College Saturday, Feb 8 for the Make Some Noise for Mental Health games at 6:00 and 8:00 pm.

To learn more about Olds College, the Olds College Broncos and the volleyball teams go to gobroncos.ca; like the Facebook page and follow @OldsBroncos on Twitter and Instagram.