The U of M Bisons volleyball clubs took it to the MacEwan University Griffins Sunday. The women’s team lost its first set of the weekend en route to a 3-1 win, while the men swept the day 3-0.
Koswin and Findlay win the day for the women
With a win in straight sets on Saturday, the Bisons women’s volleyball team faced a hungry Griffins team looking for revenge.
“It was a good fight,” Bisons head coach Ken Bentley told Bison Sports post-game.
“I expected them to be better tonight and they were. I was happy we prepared for that.”
The match featured a lot of back and forth play, with a lot of kills and good defensive plays.
Jocelyn Koswin and Laura Findlay led the way for the herd. Findlay slammed down 13 kills and Koswin connected with 12.
Lauren Holmes had a match-high 15 kills for the Griffins.
The Bisons were led by Cassie Bujan’s game-high 23 digs, while Holmes and Carly Weber each had 20 for the visitors.
Manitoba got off to a strong start in the first set and went on an early 7-0 run to give them a 7-1 lead. During the run, Koswin and Findlay each bashed down two kills.
The Griffins got within one point of the lead twice, but the herd held on to win the opening set 25-22.
The teams continued to battle in the second set with the Bisons taking a 14-10 lead into the break. The Griffins responded after the timeout with Haley Gilfillan connecting on three kills to help the visitors take set two by a score of 25-20.
Manitoba came back with a bite in the third set, going on 5-0 and 6-0 runs within the set. Koswin and Findlay were forces once again, both connecting on back-to-back kills to lead the herd to a 25-20 set win.
It was a battle in the fourth set, with neither team able to string many points together. A kill by Allison Alcock sealed the match for the Bisons, giving the club another 25-20 set win, and a 3-1 match victory.
Men complete sweep in straight sets
The U of M men’s volleyball team completed its own weekend sweep of the MacEwan Griffins with a 3-0 win on Sunday
Kevin Negus was a nightmare for the Griffins in the match, slamming down a game-high 26 kills and recording eight digs for the herd.
Owen Schwartz led the Bisons with 10 digs, while Jack Mandryk set up 43 home-side kills in the match.
The first set was a battle. Dustin Spiring recorded three kills for Manitoba in the opening set as well.
The Bisons got out to a 16-12 lead and held on to win the opening set 25-21.
The second set was full of non-stop action. Neither team was able to go on any point runs, but the Bisons scored when they had to and won the close set by a 25-23 score.
The third set was much of the same, with some back-and-forth action.
The teams exchanged points until the Bisons held a 24-23 lead. Jordan Peters converted for MacEwan to tie the game at 24.
Negus once again took the game in his hands, slamming down a kill and then completing a service ace to give Manitoba the 26-24 set win, and the game.
“We keep getting better every single weekend,” Negus told Bison Sports. “Last weekend at Mount Royal we stepped it up and this weekend we took it to another level.”
The Bisons volleyball teams will have next weekend off and return to the court on Nov. 9 and Nov. 10 in Vancouver to face the UBC Thunderbirds.
