Nov. 26 - The CIS #1 ranked University of Alberta Golden Bears needed four sets to get by the #7 ranked Manitoba Bisons Friday night in front of 1674 in the U of A's Main Gym.

The opening set saw the teams trade the opening 10 points as each team committed a series of attack errors combined with poor service and ineffective blocking before the Bears reached out and grabbed control taking an 8-5 lead at the first technical time-out. Alberta never relinquished that lead in the first set and went on to win 25-18 and seemed to have gained the upper hand in the match.

But the travelling team from Manitoba made a fierce game of it in the second set, eventually taking it by a score of 32-30. As in the first set, the teams traded early points until the Bisons staked an 8-5 lead. Alberta came roaring back and scored six straight points to claim the lead and seemingly on their way to a second set win. Strong attacking and solid net from the Bisons argued against the Alberta attack as the Bisons clawed back to within one and then eventually made their move and owned a four point lead. Twice Manitoba held four point leads on the Bears and were unable to finish them off and the Bears were just as guilty. As the set pushed into extra point territory, Alberta had a numerous amount of chances at match point but each time the Bisons managed to break it until they gained a match point of their own at 31-30 and sealed off the set win to even the match.

Terry Danyluk's Alberta team, mostly minus one of their top attackers in Aaron Schulha (5th, Edmonton), played a very strong third set, winning 25-18. Schulha is recovering from an ankle injury and saw limited action throughout the match, mostly coming on for service duty.

The fourth set saw the teams again slip into extra points where a timely Schulha block gained Alberta the victory in the set 26-24 and in the match 3-1.

On top of Schulha's limited heroics, Alberta's Nicholas Cundy (4th, Edmonton) and Dallas Soonias (3rd, Red Deer, AB) played outstanding games in front of the home fans, each racking up 13 kills. Cundy also managed the game high in digs, bringing up 11 and he stuffed three Bison attacks at the net. Soonias was particularly effective on the attack getting off 13 kills on just 19 attacks. Adam Kaminski (2nd, Chatham, ON) also had a big game at the net, putting down eight kills and registering five blocks.

Toon van Lankvelt (3rd, Rivers, MB) was in top form for the Bisons, smashing a game high 26 kills, as well as two set assists, one service ace and a team high six digs. Jeff Zylstra (3rd, Oakbank, MB) managed 11 kills for Manitoba and Guy Bourgeois (1st, Winnipeg) dug up six Bear attacks in the loss.

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