The Bison volleyball teams rolled into Edmonton this weekend to play a two-game series against the MacEwan Griffins. The men’s volleyball team brought their winning streak to 20 with two straight wins, and the women’s volleyball team extended their losing streak to 10 with two straight losses.
Men
The first-ranked Bisons came into this weekend loaded with confidence. They dismantled the Griffins in straight sets on Friday. They had an impressive hitting percentage of .536 on the night, compared to the Griffins’ .175. Adam DeJonckheere hit a team-best 12 kills, with Devren Dear registering the only ace of the evening.
It was more of the same on Saturday, with the Bisons dispatching the Griffins in three straight sets once again. The Bisons were led by Evan Jackson this time, who hammered home 16 kills. MacEwan was not much of a test for the top-ranked Bison team, as they were dominated in almost every single statistical category.
The Bisons head into their conference bye with a 21-1 record and sit atop the Canada West standings. They have only lost 14 sets all year, which is the lowest in the Canada West. The Bisons will have two weeks to prepare for a big clash against the second-ranked Trinity Western Spartans. They have the second-best hitting percentage in the Canada West with .315 – the Spartans are first at .316.
Women
The Bison women’s volleyball team saw another disappointing weekend, as they had their losing streak extended. Since beating the Winnipeg Wesmen on Jan. 7, the Bisons have yet to win.
On Friday, the Bisons lost in five sets. The teams exchanged set victories with the Griffins winning the fifth and decisive set 17-15. Tori Studler had 13 kills for the herd, with rookie captain Kearley Abbott hitting 12. Studler also registered a team-best 16 digs, along with Cassie Bujan who also had 16.
Saturday was more of the same, as the Bisons lost another close match against the Griffins, losing in five sets. After losing the first set, the Bisons won the next two, but then the Griffins won the next two to take the match victory. Studler led the Bisons again in kills, with rookie Darby Coughlin hitting 12 kills.
The Bisons still have an outside shot at making the playoffs, with two games remaining against the Trinity Western Spartans. Manitoba sits four points back of the final playoff spot, and will need a lot to go right for them in order to make the playoffs, starting with sweeping the Spartans, who are second in the Canada West with a 17-3 record.
The Bison volleyball teams have a week off before they head out to Langley, B.C. on Feb. 24-25 against the Trinity Western Spartans.
