February 24 - Alexandre Gaumont-Casias (A.G.C) served up six consecutive points, including five straight service aces to break open the third and final set during game one of the Canada West Final Four as the Alberta Golden Bears went on to win the set 25-18 and defeat the Manitoba Bisons three sets to none in their semi-final game.

The win propels #1 ranked Alberta into the Canada West gold medal match for the second straight season. The Bears, in search of their ninth conference crown and second consecutive, will meet the winner of the second semi-final match between the Trinity Western Spartans and the Saskatchewan Huskies.

Gaumont-Casias (pictured) was named player of the game for Alberta, finishing with 10 kills, five aces and seven digs. It was his masterful performance in the third set that sealed the deal for Alberta. Tied 10-10 with the #4 ranked Bisons, Gaumont-Casias stepped to the serve line and rattled off five straight powerful, dipping serves that Manitoba either could not control or could not even get to. When they finally returned his sixth serve, he attacked from back row for the kill and his sixth straight point. Manitoba finally broke his serve and Alberta's 7-0 run, but with the score 17-11 and all the momentum riding with the Bears, the damage was irreversible.

It was the Bears serving and blocking game that saved them in the second set, as the Bears put together five straight points off Derek Proudfoot's serving when they trailed 16-21. Tied at 21-21, the two hard-hitting teams traded points, until the Bisons led 25-24, prompting Alberta head coach, Terry Danyluk to call a time-out. Brock Davidiuk put Alberta up in front 27-26 with a sly tip at the net, before the Bisons re-claimed their advantage at 27-26. Alberta broke the Manitoba serve to tie the match when Leo Carroll put Alberta back in front 29-28 and Dallas Soonias finished the Bisons off with a powerful cross-court kill for the 30-28 win.

Gaumont-Casias punctuated the win in the opening frame as well, nailing the 25-23 winning kill to start the Bears off.

Soonias, a Canada West Second Team All-Star, finished as the Alberta's kill leader, putting down 11. Canada West Libero of the year, Justin Wong for Alberta, brought up a game high nine digs.

Matt Balchin paced the Bison attack with 14 kills and a 38% attack rate. Drew Venables, managed 35 set assists, one service ace and three digs, while Toon van Lankvelt chipped in with nine kills and Canada West Second Team All-Star, Josh Klassen put down seven kills.

Manitoba will play for Canada West bronze against the loser of TWU-Sask at 6:30 PM, while Alberta will meet the winner for Canada West gold at 8:30 PM, both games in the Main Gym.

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