Another undefeated bisons team
Women’s volleyball team starts season 3-0
ROMER BAUTISTA STAFF
One was simple, the other was a squeaker, but the Bisons women’s volleyball team proved that their No. 1 ranking is well-deserved by rolling over the SFU Clan in two matches over the weekend.
Friday night, in front of a boisterous crowd at the Investors Group Athletic Centre, the Bisons took to the floor, and put on a dominant effort against the Clan. Manitoba made short work of their opponents, winning the match 3-0 (25-22, 25-11, 25-22).
Despite a shaky start that saw the Bisons commit several service and unforced errors, Manitoba led the first set from wire to wire. The Bisons finished off the set with a hard kill by Erin Nieuwenburg.
The Clan looked shaken in the second set, committing more then a few net violations. The Bisons took full advantage of their opponent’s mistakes, as Sarah Morrisette and Amy Matthews spiked their way to an easy Bisons set-win.
The third set saw a much closer battle between the two teams. They traded points and the lead throughout the set. Eventually, however, the Bisons took control of the set, and ended the game in a fitting way, on a Clan net violation.
Ashley Voth led the Bisons attack with 12 kills, followed right behind by Niewenburg and her nine kills. Sabrina Barnes was a monster on the defensive end, leading the team with 16 digs.
The next night saw the same two teams at it again. Manitoba looked to be well on their way to a repeat performance of the night before, but the Clan showed their grit, and pushed the game to a fifth set. In the end, however, the Bisons’ skill was too much, as Manitoba took the decision 3-2 (25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 20-25, 15- 6).
The first and second sets saw some terrific back-and-forth action between the two teams. Despite falling behind in both sets, the Bisons came back to take both, thanks to the terrific attack of Voth and Morrisette.
The third and fourth sets saw the Clan make a great adjustment, and the Bisons fall apart defensively. Clan teammates Krystyna Adams and Colleen Douville picked apart the Bison defence with kills. Their plays helped the Clan comeback and forced an unexpected fifth and deciding set.
The Clan comeback was all for naught, as the Bisons got off to a quick start in the fifth set, taking a 5-0 lead. It was smooth sailing for the Bisons after that, as Nieuwenburg ended the thrilling match with a huge kill.
Nieuwenburg was also the team’s leading attacker, finishing the game with 16 kills. Voth led the Bisons on the defensive end, with two blocks and 14 digs.
The Bisons (3-0) will now travel to Calgary for a huge Canada West twogame series with the also-undefeated Calgary Dinos (6-0).
