EDMONTON - The young duo of second-year Billy Johnstone and rookie Issac Heslinga led the Bears to a straight set (25-15, 25-19, 25-18) victory over the Mount Royal Cougars at the Saville Centre on Friday night.

The win for Alberta (10-1) furthers their lead in the CW Central division, while the Cougs (4-7) sit 3rd in the Central.

Heslinga finished with a game-high 11 kills, while Johnstone had 10 of his own to go along with a phenomenal .643 hitting percentage. 

The game was punctuated by a dominant Bears attack that finished the day with a .398 hitting percentage.

The Cougars certainly did not roll over, with Max Haronga and Chris Byam contributing eight kills each. 

Haronga in particular had an impressive night for the Cougars, adding five digs, four total blocks, and a service ace.

The Bears got off to a scorching start, leading 16-8 at the first break, touting nine kills to only two attack errors. Alberta's ferocious, CW-leading offence set the tone in the opening set, winning 25-15. Alberta's Braedon Friesen led the set with five kills, while Setter Max Elgert facilitated a staggering 15 assists.

Both teams were firing on all cylinders in the second set, with some great rallies and dominant attacks. Alberta edged out the Cougs 25-19, with an impressive latter part of the set. Only four attack errors were committed in the frame, two by each team. Max Haronga caught fire for Mount Royal, recording four kills in the set. The Bears were paced by rookie Isaac Heslinga, who had a set-high five kills of his own.

The third set was a seesaw affair, where the Cougars built on their impressive second set. It ultimately was for naught, however, as Alberta's efficient attack and dynamite serves paved the way to a 25-18 set win. Alberta pulled away in the second half of the set, with Heslinga and Johnstone leading a dominant offence orchestrated by Elgert, who finished with a game-high 34 assists. He currently leads the Canada West in assists per set.

The teams are right back to action tomorrow for the weekend series finale at 5 PM at Saville.