Winnipeg - It was business as usual for the #2 ranked University of Manitoba Bisons as it bested its cross-town counterpart #10 ranked University of Winnipeg Wesmen by a score of 3-1 (25-15, 25-17, 23-25, 25-16) in men's volleyball on Saturday, February 4.

Although the Wesmen won the game’s third set, it had no answer for the duo of Chris Voth and Joseph Brooks. The two caused mismatches and headaches for the visiting Wesmen all game long. Resolute in defeat was Winnipeg’s Nathaniel Therrien. He led his club with 14 kills.

First set
The Bisons looked to be in a league of their own in the game’s first set. Led by left side captain Chris Voth and 6’7” middle Joe Brooks, Manitoba pounded Winnipeg’s frontcourt all set long. In fact, the Wesmen had no answer for the powerful Brooks, as he posted 4 kills in the set. While Winnipeg looked like it was going to post a comeback late in the set, Voth put that notion aside with a huge set-winning kill to propel his team to the 25-15 win. Leading Winnipeg in the set was the trio of Matthew Stubler, Ty Loewen, and Devin Schmidt with three kills each. Manitoba won the set by a score of 25-15.

Second set
The set was already out of hand as Manitoba called a timeout up 7-1. Joe Brooks set the tone for the Bisons early in the set with a huge block on Winnipeg’s Devin Schmidt. Brooks’ partner in crime Chris Voth was just as deadly, using his awe-inspiring jump serve to success multiple times in the set.  If it wasn’t Brooks or Voth bringing the pain, it was Carson Kauenhowen. The burly 6’7” middle chipped in with a nice kill of his own. The Bisons took the set 25-17.

Third set
Those looking for a back and forth game got their money’s worth in the third set. Winnipeg came out flying and was backboned by the stellar play fifth year setter Zack Diboll. In fact, the Wesman played so well that they led 16-14 at the technical timeout. The Wesmen extended its lead to 23-17 and seemed primed to take the third set. But the Bisons had other plans, mounting a comeback to tie the set up at. The Wesmen dug deep, stayed the course, and won its first set of the game by a score of 25-23.

Fourth Set
Although the Wesmen’s solid third set play continued in the fourth set, the Bisons were just too much to contend with. Manitoba took it with ease, 25-16.

Winnipeg is now completed their conference regular season while Manitoba host Saskatchewan on February 10-11 weekend starting at 8 p.m. CT both nights.