By Larry Read, Sports Information Officer, Thompson Rivers University

KAMLOOPS - The University of Manitoba Bison showed volleyball fans of Kamloops why they are ranked atop of the CIS Women’s standings. The Bison had little trouble winning their 14th match in 15 starts, 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-17) at the Tournament Capital Center.

“I thought we played a bit better tonight. We served and passed better and the result was better,” said Bison head coach Ken Bentley after the three set victory. “I think it was harder for the WolfPack to keep that intensity up that second night. It’s hard to do. Our team has walked that path where every night to play at a high level against a top team is difficult.”

Bentley praised two of his fourth year players: middle Erin Nieuwenburg and left side Sabrina Barnes (both Winnipeg, MB).

“Nieuwenberg was very effective serving,” said Bentley

In the first set, she went on a 6-0 run to give the Bison a 10-4 lead. Barnes had 7 and a half points.

“They were very steady all weekend long. And our fifth year player, Amy Matthews was very steady.” Matthews (right side, Winnipeg, MB) had 11 points.

“I don’t think we showed up to play our ‘A’ game that’s for sure,” said a discouraged WolfPack Coach Carrie Barrett. “We had a terrible kill efficiency. They (Manitoba) had only 8 blocks and our kill efficiency was 2 per cent. It’s hard to be successful. I thought our passing was a little suspect. It started to come around but we couldn’t execute. We couldn’t buy a point when we had the opportunity.”

TRU was led by freshman outside hitter Amanda Frayne (Kamloops, BC). She had 8 kills and nine points. Fourth year outside hitter Richelle Walton (Langley, BC) had 7 digs.

For the WolfPack, they continue to be pitted against the Canada West’s best: they visit the Pandas at the University of Alberta next weekend (Feb 1-2). Manitoba will visit the Huskies at the University of Saskatchewan. Bentley is being cautious as he looks towards the future.

“I don’t know if anything sets us apart. UBC and ourselves share the same record. Calgary is right there and Alberta is right behind. It’s still very tight. It’s going down to the wire for every team.” He is feeling the pressure to succeed though. “We returned almost our entire team. I would expect us to be a little bit better.”