WINNIPEG – The University of Manitoba Bisons men's volleyball team won 3-1 in a tight match against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies (25-23, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22) at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Friday.
With the win, the Bisons improve to 6-5. The Huskies drop to 4-7.
Bisons powers Scott Vercaigne and Adam DeJonckheere posted 10 kills each, and right-side Kevin Negus with eight. Huskies power Dylan Mortensen came out with 16 kills, and Colin Fraser with 15.
A point-for-point first set ended when Bisons middle Dustin Spiring and setter Dylan Sutherland closed the block to win it 25-23 for Manitoba.
The Herd took the second set as well, pulling ahead in the final points to win 25-20 after a service error by Saskatchewan.
Huskies gained a slight lead in the third set (19-16) but Vercaigne,DeJonckheere and middle Brendan Warren challenged the lead with solid attacks. In the final points of the third set, Mortensen gained three consecutive points for his team to win 25-21 for Saskatchewan. Mortensen tipped the ball just over the Bisons' block, blocked a huge hit, and pounded a right-side hit down the line. He posted five kills in the set.
Mortensen continued to be a force for the Huskies in the fourth set, but Spiring stepped up to block. The Bisons gained a mid-set lead they managed to hold to the end, winning the fourth and final set 25-21 after a huge cross-court attack from DeJonckheere. The players ran on to the court following the big hit and win.
The two teams will meet again Saturday night at the Investors Group Athletic Centre at 5 p.m. CT.