On Saturday afternoon, the NAIT Ooks played the Northwestern Polytechnic Wolves at the NAIT gymnasium. After a close five-set game, the Ooks won 3-2 over the Wolves.
The Ooks dominated defensively and offensively in the first set—fantastic blocks made by Ooks, number two Kate Krogen and number five Karly Burkinshaw. Ooks, number eleven Mattea Calihoo, also made some impressive hits at the net, leaving the Wolves scrambling to catch up. The Wolves' momentum began to shift with great defensive digs by number thirteen, Alexandra Pullishy. However, it wasn't enough, and the Ooks took the set 25-14.
The Ooks lead the match 1-0.
The Ooks continued dominating the Wolves in the second set with great defensive plays from number three Annika Dyck and eleven Mattea Calihoo. The Wolves didn't give up with hits from number three, Gracie Smith. The Wolves' momentum began picking up; they started to close the gap leading the Ooks to call two timeouts in a row. Nonetheless, the Ooks still managed to hold the lead, taking the set 25-22.
After the second set, the Ooks lead the match 2-0 over the Wolves.
In the third set, the Wolves took the lead, and the Ooks began to struggle, calling a timeout in hopes of regrouping and changing the momentum. Coming out of the timeout, the Ooks began to close the gap with great defensive blocks from number five Karly Birkinshaw. The Wolves could not hold their lead, with the Ooks swooping in to take it. However, the Wolves were able to come back, taking the set 26-24
After the third set, the Ooks lead 2-1 over the Wolves.
In the fourth set, the Wolves took the lead early and continued to hold with great kills from numbers three, Gracie Smith and one, Sierra LaValley. The Ooks attempted to keep them at bay and close the gap with great blocks from number fourteen, Hannah Zurkowski and seventeen, Kayla Zazula. However, it wasn't enough, and the Wolves took the set, 25-17.
The Wolves tied the game 2-2 after the fourth set.
In the fifth set, the Wolves took an early lead, but the Ooks didn't let them get far, taking it with a great hit from number seventeen, Kayla Zazula. The Ooks dominated the net, shutting down the Wolves' attempts to take the lead to win the set, 15-7.
The Ooks won the game 3-2.
The players of the game were number five, Karly Burkinshaw, from the Ooks and number three, Gracie Smith, from the Wolves.