Bisons fight off scare from lowly Huskies
Bison women are spiking and volleying their way toward playoffs
Vuthana Suon STAFF
action at Investor’s Group Athletic Centre on Saturday, Jan. 14.
Photo by Derek Law.
Desperately fighting for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Canada West conference, Erin Nieuwenburg and the rest of the Bison women’s volleyball team wouldn’t be denied, as they swept two matches over the Saskatchewan Huskies at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Jan. 13 and 14.
After coming off an impressive second-place showing the weekend before at the University of Toronto’s National Invitational Tournament, the herd was riding a wave of success and started the second half off right, knocking off a weaker opponent. The Bisons are now a respectable 9-3 for 18 points on the season, while the Huskies fell to 1-13.
An uneven and inconsistent game for the Bisons on Friday night saw them win 3-2 (25-14, 25-18, 27-29, 15-25, 15-9), while on Saturday night the Bisons only needed four sets for the 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-22) win.
Tentative in the first set, the Bisons were unable to put away a back and forth set, allowing the Huskies to strike first. However, with the second and third sets, there was a marked improvement in the Bisons’ play, en route to decisive victories. In the final set on Saturday night, the herd showed poise, as they withstood several runs by the Huskies to hang on for the win.
Huskies libero Elise Shill recorded a game high 22 digs, while herd setter Katie Davidson notched 53 assists.
Bison head coach Ken Bentley was happy with the pair of wins but concerned after Saturday’s game with his team’s inconsistent play over the weekend.
“I was happy with how we played for 90 per cent of that match, but we were careless at the end and let them come back. I was just happy that we were able to pull out a win,” said Bentley.
If the Bisons hope to make the playoffs and possibly snag a home date, they’ll have to continue to play well; a single loss could end the Bisons’ post-season dreams.
“Us, Winnipeg and Regina are all fighting for playoff spots, so every game is important for us,” said Bentley. “We have a good schedule ahead, and we’re playing a bunch of games at home.”
Second-year middle hitter Erin Nieuwenburg couldn’t agree more. Realizing the importance of the games, she responded against the Huskies with 28 kills over the weekend.
“We’re trying to get to nationals, so every game from here on out is important for us,” said Nieuwenburg.
Nieuwenburg was vital to the Bison attack, only behind fifth-year captain Lindsay Poggemiller in points in the two games. Poggemiller had 30 points.
Next: A rivalry is renewed when the Bisons face the U of W Wesmen in the volleyball half of the Duckworth Challenge at IGAC on January 18 (6 p.m.) and 21 (1 p.m.).
