The Bisons men’s volleyball team dominated the University of Winnipeg Wesmen in the 34th edition of the Duckworth Challenge, winning 3-0 and 3-1. On Friday, Jan. 30, at the Duckworth Centre, the Bisons displayed determination, winning all three sets 25-16, 25-18, and 25-17.
In the first set, the Bisons took an early lead, scoring the first two points. The Wesmen narrowed the gap with a single point, but the Bisons responded with six unanswered points to take an 8-1 lead. They maintained their advantage and secured the set 25-16.
The Bisons continued their strong performance in the second set, taking the first point, but the Wesmen’s Luke Lodewyks’s kill briefly leveled the game. The Bisons regained momentum, and scored four consecutive points to lead 6-2. The Wesmen fought back, tying the score 6-6. The teams traded points until the Bisons pulled ahead 20-13, eventually winning 25-18.
In the third set, the Wesmen initially took the lead, but the Bisons responded quickly, exchanging points and gradually increasing their advantage. They won the set 25-17.
Owen Weekes, Bisons player, shared his thoughts after the game. “I think for us right now [the game] just feels like every other game. I think we’ve been on a good run right now, we’re working real hard in practice week in and out […] We take care of business, we know what we can control,” he stated.
In the rematch on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Investors Group Athletic Centre, the Bisons won 18-25, 15-25, lost 32-30, and won 24-26.
Although the Wesmen took an early 3-0 lead in the first set, the Bisons tied at 11-11. The Bisons took control, scored four consecutive points to lead 13-17, another four points to take a commanding 14-21 lead, and won the set 18-25.
The Bisons continued dominating the second set, as they scored four points to take a confident lead. Despite the Wesmen’s efforts, the Bisons won 15-25.
The third set was intense, with both teams refusing to yield. The Wesmen took a 22-17 lead, but the Bisons rallied, scoring seven consecutive points to take a 22-24 lead. The teams exchanged points, and the Wesmen eventually won 32-30.
The fourth set was closely contested, with both teams evenly matched. When the Wesmen led 24-22, the Bisons scored four consecutive points to win the set 24-26.
Arnd Ludwig, Bisons men’s volleyball head coach, thought that his team capitalized on their serves to win the game “We played very well today. It started right with our serves, we put a lot of pressure on the Wesmen. They struggled, especially at the beginning of the set, and then we had a couple of good blocks, and I think that helped us a lot gaining the confidence for the rest of the game,” he stated.
“Serving is a key element in volleyball, and we practice it a lot,” Coach Ludwig revealed.
The Bisons men’s volleyball team will play the Fraser Valley Cascades on Friday, Feb. 13 at 9:45 p.m. CT and Saturday, Feb. 14 at 7:45 p.m. CT in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
