17th Annual Duckworth Challenge
Bisons women’s volleyball dominate, men falter
Ajitpaul Mangat, Staff
Cross-town rivals the University of Manitoba Bisons and the University of Winnipeg Wesmen entered Friday, Nov. 4’s volleyball action at the Investors Group Athletic Centre with the 17th annual Duckworth Challenge deadlocked at 1-1, as the Bison women’s and Wesmen men’s basketball team had won their games a day earlier. The Duckworth Challenge is a four-game tournament between the Bisons and Wesmen volleyball and basketball teams. The Bisons needed to win the final two games, because a tie meant that the team who currently held the title, the Wesmen, would retain the title for another year.
It was the Bison women who jumped out to an early advantage in their match, led by Erin Nieuwenburg who scored the first four points off kills. The home team would build on that lead taking the opening set by a comfortable 25-19 score.
The next set saw the Wesman fight back, securing an early 8-4 advantage that they would maintain until late in the frame. With the two teams deadlocked in a seesaw battle, it was Amy Matthews who made the difference. Amassing an impressive eight kills in the set (11 for the entire match), she willed the Bisons to a 25-22 second set win. Matthews was named the Bisons’ Most Valuable Player.
“[Amy] is so steady . . . and really focused on having a great fifth year. She still has a burning desire to play in her last year [of eligibility],” said head coach Ken Bentley. “[Amy] is so good for our team, and she is playing so well, and I’m so happy she is on our team.”
The final frame tested the home team’s mettle. Trailing by as many as eight points, the Bisons once again required a late rally. The comeback was truly a team effort as, behind 22-19, six different players contributed to the Bisons’ final seven points.
“In the end I was happiest with our poise. I thought we stayed calm, and kept chipping away,” said Bentley. “We certainly have what we need to come back from a deficit. I mean physically, emotionally, technically. We have all the requirements to win while being down, so I’m pretty confident in this group.”
The Bisons ultimately won the last set 25-22 and the match 3-0.
The team continued its dominance in the following night’s rematch winning by a parallel 3-0 (25-9, 25-12, 25-16) score line. Sarah Morrissette led the Bisons with seven kills and seven defensive digs.
The Bisons (4-0) will next host the UBC Thunderbirds (3-0) in a battle of undefeated teams on Nov. 9 and Nov. 10 at the IGAC. Games begin at 6 p.m. The Wesmen (0-4) are heading into their bye week.
With the women winning their match, the men’s volleyball team had an opportunity to capture the Bisons’ first Duckworth Challenge victory since 2004.
The opening set of the Bison men’s season was there for the taking, but it was the Wesmen, the defending CIS national champions, who ultimately won the set 25-21. The defence of Ben Schellenberg was especially decisive, blocking Bison attacks three times in the frame.
The next period was a tight battle, which saw the Bisons take a promising 23-22 lead. But the Wesmen proved too strong for the home team with Alan Ahow’s two late kills ending the Bison’s hopes. The Wesmen won the set by a slim 26-24 score line.
The final frame mirrored the earlier sets; the Bisons were able to keep the score close with excellent defence, but the Wesmen once again pulled away late in the period.
The visitors ultimately won the final set 25-23 and the match 3-0. Additionally, the result meant the Wesman had won the Duckworth challenge for the fourth consecutive season.
“This was a pretty important game to open the season against Winnipeg, because they’re the national champions. It helps us prepare mentally, because we kept with them for most of the match,” said Bisons head coach Phil Hudson. “Winnipeg is a very good team, but hopefully we can continue on and play our game tomorrow.”
The Bisons did put on a better display in the following night’s rematch, forcing a fifth and deciding set, but were unable to seal the victory losing by a 3-2 (25-23, 25-19, 21-25, 23-25, 15-12) set score. Stefan Bouw led the Bisons finishing with 10 kills. Schellenberg terrorized the visiting Bisons by amassing a gaudy 21 kills.
The Bisons (0-2) will next host the UBC Thunderbirds (2-2) Nov. 9 and Nov. 10 at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. Games begin at 8 p.m. Winnipeg (3-1) will next host the Alberta Golden Bears (4-0).
