The Bison volleyball teams were in Vancouver for a series against the University of British Columbia. The men managed a split, but the women were swept.
The 9th-ranked Bison men’s volleyball team had a tough ask ahead of them this weekend in taking on the second-ranked UBC Thunderbirds. They managed a gritty 3-2 win Friday night, but fell in three straight sets Saturday.
Adam DeJonckheere had a team-best 12 kills on Friday and rookie Dylan Sutherland led the way with eight digs and two service aces. The Bisons actually jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but the T-Birds would not go away, forcing a fifth and decisive set in which Manitoba won 15-13.
It was a different story on Saturday, as the Thunderbirds took control and won all three sets. Scott Vercaigne had nine kills, with Kevin Negus finishing with six digs and six kills.
Manitoba now holds a 6-8 record and sits at seventh in the Canada West, with the top eight making playoffs.
The women also had a tough slog before them with UBC ranked second in the country. Manitoba lost three extremely close sets on Friday with two of the three needing extra points. Allison Alcock and Jocelyn Koswin both finished with a team-best eight kills. Cassie Bujan came up with a court best 18 kills on the night.
Manitoba fell in five sets on Saturday. After the Bisons claimed the first set, the Thunderbirds won two straight and with their backs against the wall, Manitoba won the fourth 25-23. The Bisons ultimately lost in the fifth 15-13.
Kearley Abbott was all over the court, finishing with 15 kills and 14 digs, while Bujan came up clutch in the dig department, with 17.
The Bisons have now lost four in a row and sit third last in the Canada West with a 5-9 record.
Both Bison volleyball teams host the Trinity Western University Spartans at Investors Group Athletic Centre on Jan.12-13.
