The Bisons women’s volleyball team defeated the Trinity Western Spartans 3-0, with set scores of 25-10, 25-18 and 25-18, on Jan. 10 at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. In a masterful demonstration of volleyball talent, the Bisons overwhelmingly defeated the Spartans in a three-set match that left no doubt about their dominance on the court.
From the opening serve, the Bisons showed a level of skill and strategic execution that the Spartans struggled to match.
The first set established a commanding tone for the Bisons, who clinched it with a decisive 25-10 score. The remarkable gap was the result of the Bisons’ aggressive and precise offensive play, where they racked up 11 kills with only a single error, achieving a stellar hitting percentage of .435. This was not just a showcase of their attacking prowess but also an indication of their clinical ability to convert opportunities into points.
As the match progressed, the Bisons did not let up. In the second set, they posted 16 kills and mirrored their earlier precision with just one error, notching a hitting percentage of .429. Their relentless offence and robust defence effectively stifled the Spartans’ attempts to establish any rhythm, leaving them scrambling to respond.
The final set continued to display the Bisons’ strength, with the team managing 17 kills. Although they encountered a slight uptick in errors with three, they still maintained a solid hitting percentage of .389. The consistent display of tactical intelligence, coupled with mental fortitude, kept the Bisons focused and effective under pressure.
Contrastingly, the Spartans faced significant challenges, especially in the first set where they recorded many errors, resulting in a negative hitting percentage of .030. Despite a reduction in errors in the following sets and improved hitting percentages of .308 and .162, they were unable to narrow the performance gap significantly.
Highlighting the individual efforts for the Bisons, Raya Surinx was a force on the offensive end, delivering a remarkable 17 kills and a .469 hitting percentage. Her prowess was pivotal in breaking down the Spartans’ defence. Defensively, Andi Almonte was equally significant, with 13 digs and five blocks, setting up counterattacks and sustaining the team’s momentum.
For the Spartans, Maryn Boldon stood out with 15 kills and a .220 hitting percentage, providing a glimmer of offensive success in a tough match. Defensively, Mikayla McBain worked tirelessly, achieving nine digs, showing resilience and determination against a formidable opponent.
This match was not only a testament to the herds flawless execution and preparation but it also highlighted their potential for the rest of the season. It solidified their reputation as a top contender in the league, showcasing a team well-equipped to maintain its winning ways. The individual performances, particularly from players like Surinx and Almonte, underscored a team that is not only strong collectively but also formidable through its standout talents. On the other hand, the Spartans, though outplayed, showed flashes of potential that could be harnessed to challenge stronger teams in future encounters.
In a post-match interview, the Bisons’ head coach Ken Bentley discussed their comfortable victory over the Spartans. He emphasized the strength of their performance, noting, “we played well. I mean, Trinity’s a great team, […] we expect the battle to grow, but I thought our side was really good today. We served and passed really well. I thought that was the most important thing today, it kind of helped us everywhere else.”
Bentley praised his team’s defensive efforts when asked about their stronger suit in the game, stating, “I loved our defence today. The objective is to keep the ball alive longer than the other team, that’s how you win, right? So, it all starts with your defensive attitude. I thought that was really good for us today.”
On the topic of offence, he remarked, “our offence executed at a pretty high level today. Our fast-tempo setting was really good today and our hitting too. So, I would say our hitting was really, really good today.”
Looking ahead in the season, Bentley expressed optimism and ambition. “We’re in to win it,” he said. “We have a really good team obviously. We could have won last year and we had a big injury in the second half, and despite that, we were amazing last year in the second term. We still had a chance to win. So, with us hosting nationals this year, obviously, we are going to do our best to try and win the thing.”
Bentley seemed confident in the team’s ability to perform well in the future, particularly with the nationals on the horizon. This seems fitting as the Bisons went on to defeat the Spartans again the following day, with 3-1 scores.
The Bisons women’s volleyball team will be playing against the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat on Friday, Jan. 17 at 9 p.m. CT at the UBCO Gymnasium in Kelowna.
