The Bisons faced the Mount Royal University Cougars on Feb. 27 for game one of quarterfinals at the Investors Group Athletic Centre, finishing the game 3-0. The first two sets were easy wins, but the Bisons went neck and neck in the third set for the win.
The Bisons started strong in the first set, recording 17 kills with only two errors on 32 total attempts for a 0.469 hitting percentage. Their well-rounded team effort saw key offensive and defensive contributions, helping them secure a 25-21 win. Despite the win, there were some difficulties that the Bisons faced with their rotation.
In the second set, the Bisons continued their domination, taking advantage of the Cougars’ inconsistency. The Bisons’ hitting percentage dropped to 0.257, with 14 kills but five errors on 35 attempts, helping them secure a 25-18 win. The Cougars were not able to catch up or take a lead on the herd.
However, in the third set, it was mostly the Cougars that were outpacing the Bisons and the set was neck and neck. Yet, the herd managed to turn things around, winning the set 25-22. The Bisons recorded 12 kills with four errors alongside 30 total attempts for a 0.267 hitting percentage.
For the Bisons on the offensive side, Raya Surinx excelled with 18 kills and a hitting efficiency of 0.412, marking her as a key attacker for the team. Light Uchechukwu also had a notable offensive performance with 11 kills and a 0.231 hitting efficiency, contributing significantly to the team’s attacking prowess.
Defensively, Andi Almonte stood out with nine digs, helping to stabilize the team’s backcourt play. Julia Arnold also played a crucial defensive role with 15 digs, the highest on the team, showcasing her ability to handle the Cougars’ offensive threats.
Overall, the team’s combined efforts, including a general outstanding contribution from Eve Catojo, who added five kills and three digs, were instrumental in the Bisons’ clean sweep of 3-0 over the Cougars, with final set scores of 25-21, 25-18 and 25-22.
In a post-match interview, the Bisons women’s volleyball head coach Ken Bentley was asked about the opposing team’s defensive strategy against Surinx, despite her ability to score 18 kills and achieving a 0.412 hitting percentage. “Raya had a lot of indirect points because they were sitting on her,” he said. “Rightfully so, but you give other opportunities to other players to get a bit more freedom to hit so that she helps us even when she doesn’t get set.”
“One of the reasons I am really part of this group is just how we stuck together, knowing that we will continue to play better volleyball, we will keep working with a better team that is still chasing this goal,” he said.
Bentley pointed out the Cougars’ competitiveness. “They’re a really good team so you’re not going to be ahead the whole match, and that’s just the reality. And we’re prepared for that, so we just kept playing, I thought we maintained our poise really well there.”
He continued, “we didn’t panic, we just simply kept going. We stuck to the preparation that we had for this team and it turned out for us.”
The Bisons faced the Cougars again on Friday, Feb. 28 for game two of the quarterfinals and won again with a 3-1 score.
The Bisons will host and participate in the U-Sports women’s volleyball nationals from Friday, March 14 to Sunday, March 16 at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.
