CALGARY — A narrow window to a hosting position crept closer to being shut Friday for the Winnipeg Wesmen.

Two narrow sets went the other way and the Mount Royal Cougars pulled off a 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-12) Canada West conference win over the Wesmen men's volleyball team.

The Wesmen fell to 11-8 on the season and sit in fifth place with five matches remaining. They are two matches behind the fourth-place Brandon Bobcats, who sit at 12-5 with seven matches left. The top four teams will host the first-round of the eight-team post-season. 

On Friday, the Wesmen held a 21-17 lead in the first set, but watched as the Cougars (13-6) tore off six straight points before going on to win the opener. In Set 2, they led 21-19 and 23-22, but gave up three straight to close the frame.

Winnipeg, which hit .210 for the match, was held to .043 in the decisive third set while MRU hit .692 in the third and .441 for the match. 

Isaiah Olfert had 12 kills and hit .304 for the match while adding a match-high three aces. Setter Alex Krykewich led the team with seven digs, which gave him 130 on the season and lifted him into 10th place in the country, second among setters.

Christopher Byam had 12 kills to lead the Cougars, who are a half-game behind UBC for first place in the Canada West. Jacob Van Geel added 10 kills.