Football
The University of Manitoba Bisons found themselves on the wrong end of an upset for the second time this season, as they fell 56-41 on the road against Regina.
Early miscues by backup-turned-starting quarterback Theo Deezar helped Regina jump out to a 28-0 lead midway through the second quarter. Despite a valiant effort from the Bisons, who responded with 24 unanswered points of their own, a Manitoba win was not meant to be. The combination of running back Atlee Simon, (154 yards rushing, 3 TDs) and Noah Picton (17-24, 368 yards, 3 TDs) was too much for the Manitoba defence, which also lost starting safety Tyler Fong in the first half.
Despite the loss, there were some positives for the Bisons. Offensively, Deezar settled down in the second half, and finished with 439 yards, and four TDs, while Nic Demski had a whale of a game, hauling in nine receptions for 238 yards, and a TD. Defensively, Jayden McKoy continued to shine, recording 11 total tackles and a forced fumble.
The next football action will come this Saturday at Investors Group Field against top-ranked Calgary, in Manitoba’s final regular season home game of the year. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.
Women’s volleyball
The Bison women’s volleyball team was on the road this weekend, taking on the fourth-ranked UBC Okanagan Heat. The Bisons were unable to stamp out the Heat, losing 3-1 (25-15, 19-25, 26-11, 25-23) on Friday night and 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-15) on Saturday night.
Captains Rachel Cockrell and Brittany Habing continued their strong play this weekend in Kelowna. Friday night saw Cockrell pick up 18 kills and eight digs, and Habing collect 31 assists and 14 digs. The duo continues to shine this year and will be relied on to help the Bisons regain their winning form.
Starting libero Caleigh Dobie returned to the lineup after missing last week. Dobie tallied 10 digs and one kill in her return on Friday, but it wasn’t enough to help the Bisons overcome the balanced attack of UBC Okanagan.
The Heat maintained that well-rounded attack all weekend. Four players had eight or more kills on Friday, and seven or more kills on Saturday.
The loss puts the Bisons intoninth place in Canada West. They have a lot of ground to make up if they are going to reach the playoffs. Manitoba continues their play on the road as they take on Trinity Western in Langley next weekend.
Men’s volleyball
The Bison men’s volleyball team rolled into Kelowna this weekend to take on the winless UBC Okanagan Heat. Coming off a strong performance at home last weekend, that saw coach Pischke break the North American all-time coaching win record, the Bisons were brimming with confidence.
Manitoba added to the Heat’s season woes by sweeping their weekend series, winning in three straight sets Friday night, (25-22, 25-17, 25-22) and three sets to one on Saturday night (21-25, 25-18, 25-15, 25-22).
Devren Dear led the attack on Friday with 14 kills, while Adam DeJonckheere had a strong all-around game with a team-leading seven digs plus nine kills. Luke Herr led the team in assists with 28.
The Heat took the first set on Saturday, but the Bisons responded with a solid team effort. Dear tallied 21 kills and led the Herd with 14 digs. DeJonckheere had 18 kills and 12 digs, Kenny Rooney picked up 10 kills and six digs, and Luke Herr had 46 assists. Dear now moves intofourth overall for most kills per set in Canada West and Luke Herr has the third highest assists per set in the conference.
The weekend wins move the Bisons intoa tie for second in the Canada West Conference.
