The Bisons women’s volleyball team triumphed over the MacEwan Griffins with a set score of 3-1 at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Friday, Feb. 7. This game marked the herd’s 13th straight win of the season, contributing to their overall 16-4 win to lose ratio.
The Bisons started strong in the first set, recording 14 kills with just three errors on 39 total attempts for a 0.282 hitting percentage. Their well-rounded team effort saw key offensive and defensive contributions, helping them secure a 25-20 win. Defensive consistency and an ability to capitalize on the Griffins’ mistakes set the tone for the match.
In the second set, the Griffins bounced back, taking advantage of the Bisons’ inconsistency. The Bisons’ hitting percentage dropped to 0.167, with 13 kills but seven errors on 36 attempts. Despite some offensive highlights, service and attack errors ultimately allowed the Griffins to edge out the set 25-22.
The Bisons came back in the third set, putting up a 0.300 hitting percentage with 13 kills and only four errors on 30 attempts. Their cohesive play and strategic adjustments disrupted the Griffins’ rhythm, leading to multiple errors on the opposing side. A strong defensive performance bolstered the Bisons’ dominant 25-12 victory.
The Bisons sealed the win in the fourth set with their best offensive performance of the night, hitting 0.314 with 16 kills and five errors on 35 attempts. The Bisons maintained a steady offensive rhythm, keeping the Griffins on the back foot and closing out the match 25-16. As the match progressed, the Bisons refined their strategies, capitalizing on their opponents’ weaknesses while enhancing their own strengths. The fluidity in their rotations and sharp serving were key factors that made the difference in the third and fourth sets.
Among the standout players, Raya Surinx scored a total of 20 points, proving to be a critical offensive asset with a 0.204 hitting percentage. Andi Almonte’s ability to find and exploit gaps in the Griffins’ defence was key throughout the game. Almonte’s impressive powerful attacks earned 22 points at a 0.500 hitting efficiency, showcasing her ability to perform under pressure and consistently deliver points. Brenna Bedosky’s talent was on full display with a 0.357 kill percentage. On defence, she was instrumental with six block assists, crucial in thwarting the Griffins’ offensive efforts and maintaining the Bisons’ lead.
Julia Arnold’s contributions as libero have also been pivotal for the Bisons throughout the 2024-25 season. Leading the Canada West rankings with 288 digs and an impressive 3.89 digs per set, Arnold has proven to be a defensive anchor for her team. Her ability to read plays and position herself effectively has also earned her third place in receptions with 445, solidifying her reputation as one of the top liberos in the league. Arnold’s performance in this match was no exception, as she consistently thwarted the Griffins’ offensive attempts and provided critical first passes to set up her team’s attack.
In a post-match interview, the Bisons women’s volleyball head coach Ken Bentley was asked about the strategy used during the game. “It wasn’t any one thing. It was just being better with the ball on our side. In the third and fourth sets, our first contact passing, our serve receive got a lot better and our serving was really good,” he said. “We hit the zones we wanted and made it hard for them I thought, which made a big difference in how we were able to defend. So, that was kind of the biggest difference.”
When asked if the effective serving allowed them to focus less on defence and more on offence, the coach explained, “serving is our first offence really, so that we can create a bit more stress on the other team so that we can have some predictability about who they are going to set, where they are going to hit it. But before we can go on offence, we still have to dig the ball first. That’s kind of the deal. So, I thought we did a good job of creating offensive opportunities out of our defence because we served the ball well.”
The Bisons faced the MacEwan Griffins the following day on Saturday, Feb. 8 and won 3-1.
The Bisons women’s volleyball team will go on to the U-Sports women’s volleyball nationals from March 14-16 hosted at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.
