Following a road sweep of SFU on the previous weekend, the number-one ranked Bisons (8-1) were looking to make it three-in-a-row on Friday night. The Investors Group Athletic Centre played host as the Herd took on the fifth ranked Calgary Dinos (6-1) in the battle for first place in the Canada West standings.

It was the Herd coming out on top easily, taking out the Dinos in three sets (25-17, 25-17, 25-19).

“We played a very clean game tonight,” said head coach Ken Bentley. “It’s what every coach hopes to get out of his team.”

In the first set, the Bisons took control early, going up by six at the first technical. Dominant play at the net by Amy Matthews, and Erin Nieuwenburg kept the Herd in the lead throughout the set. By the end of the set, Manitoba continued to hold their lead, taking the set by a score of 25-17.

Despite taking an early lead in the second set, the offensive struggles continued for the Dinos, as the Bisons overtook the deficit, and once again started to pad their lead. At the second technical, the Bisons held a four-point, 16-12 lead. The Bisons once again took the set 25-17.

The third set started on more even footing for the Dinos as they kept up with Manitoba for the better part of the set. At the first technical the Bisons were ahead by one at 8-7.

Matthews continued her strong play midway through the set as she served up an ace to push the Herd up by three. The final point in the set came after a thrilling rally between the two teams. Manitoba took the set 25-19, winning the game in three sets.

The Bisons’ Sabrina Barnes, and the Dinos’ Laura Wilson both led the game with 11 kills for each team respectively. Barnes also took the player of the game nod.

“Having won this way tonight,” said Bentley after the game, “You know Calgary is going to come out with some pop tomorrow.”

Round two of this weekend series goes tomorrow night, Saturday November 24, at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. The game starts at 6 p.m.