| Manitoba
3, Winnipeg 1 (23-25,26-24,25-20,25-23) by Sheldon Appelle, University of Winnipeg Athletics |
| Jan. 28 - The Wesmen men's volleyball team came into this contest on a roll playing some great volleyball. Unfortunately despite a great effort the team took a step backward dropping a 3-1 decision to the Manitoba Bisons on Friday night at the Duckworth Centre. The team looked to be well on their way in this match as they took the first set 25-23. First year player Alan Ahow and fourth year player Jarrod Small came up big in the set each coming up with four kills apiece to pace the Wesmen. In the second set the Wesmen had the lead on numerous occasions but the Bisons fought back to tie the score at 14-14. The teams traded points in the close second set but the Bisons prevailed 26-24 to tie the match at one set apiece. In the third set momentum was on the Bisons side as they build a lead and also capitalized on ten Wesmen errors to take the third set by a score of 25-20. In the fourth set the Wesmen looked like they were on their way to evening up the match as they roared out to a 12-4 lead on the Bisons. Unfortunately for the Wesmen the Bisons went on a 10-3 run to close the gap to 15-14. The Bisons then stopped the Wesmen in their tracks by blocking everything in site and pounding away kill after kill to win the set 25-23. The Wesmen were led by Ryan Bevan with 12 kills, while Alan Ahow came up with 11 kills in the lose. Marc De Spiegelaere had a great defensive game coming up with 13 digs. Nathan Toews led the Bisons with 13 kills and Alex de Chantal had 16 digs in the winning effort. Ahow was named the Player of the Match for the Wesmen while Trevor Froese was chosen for the Bison. Manitoba improves to 6-9 on the season while the Wesmen fall to 7-8. Winnipeg remains two points up on the Bison for second place in the Great Plains Division. Saskatchewan sits in first place with a 9-5 record heading into this weekend's series with Regina (0-14). The 14th annual Duckworth Challenge is now even at 1-1 with the basketball games tomorrow at the University of Manitoba deciding this year's winner. The Wesmen and Bisons will meet again tomorrow evening at the Duckworth Centre. |