EDMONTON - The Mount Royal Cougars experienced the worst kind of deja vu Saturday afternoon at the Saville Centre, as the Alberta Golden Bears won in straight sets for the second time in as many days (25-19, 25-17, 25-22).

The win for Alberta (11-1) is their third in a row after their only defeat against the Calgary Dinos, while the Cougs (4-8) experience their second straight loss, following a 3-1 stretch.

Alberta second-year Billy Johnstone was arguably the player of the game, potting 10 kills to go with 6 total blocks.

Bears fifth-year setter Max Elgert had another good game with a game-high 32 assists. In the game last night, Elgert moved up the record books passing head coach Brock Davidiuk for sole possession of second place in career assists for the Alberta program.

The Cougars were buoyed by a phenomenal game from third-year Chris Byam, who had a game-high 14 kills.

The U SPORTS #2 ranked Golden Bears improve on their Canada West lead, and the Cougars sit in third place in the Central division, still in firm control of a playoff spot.

Both attacks were on point to begin the Saturday finale. There were some impressive rallies including one at 14-14 that went for ages. The net play was strong for the Bears, continually disrupting attack attempts from the Cougars side. Alberta hit their stride near the end of the set, going on a 5-2 run to end it 25-19.

It was a spread Bears attack that committed three attack errors against 11 kills. Mount Royal was paced by Byam, who had a set-high five kills.

The second set was dominated by the Bears as the Cougars were unable to block and respond to a flurry of attacks from the home side, who took it 25-17. Alberta second-year middle Graydon Wiebe had four kills, and Johnstone had 2.5 blocks in the frame. They had a scorching .636 hitting percentage.

Byam continued his strong game, adding another set-high five kills, however the overall Cougar attack was unable to break the Alberta line often enough, with the Bears recording four total blocks in the set.

The Cougars recollected and reasserted themselves in the third and final set, mounting a resistance that saw them up 15-12 at one point. However, Alberta ended the game on a 6-3 run punctuated by a Johnstone service ace to win the set 25-22 and the game.

The Bears next game is of the crosstown rivalry variety, travelling to MacEwan to face the 1-10 Griffins on February 11th. The Cougs also face their city rival, the Calgary Dinos, on February 10th.