October 26 - The recently ranked number one Manitoba Bisons (1-0) came into their home-opening weekend carrying their undefeated pre-season through to the regular season. On Friday, October 26 night, the Bisons defeated the Regina Cougars by a 3-1 (26-24, 14-25, 25-11, 25-13) score at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.

After the game, head coach Ken Bentley talked about his team's first game. "I wasn't happy with our second set, but other than that we played pretty well," said Bentley. "We've been pretty consistent at a high level overall, so I'm not too concerned about one set." "We have to pass the ball better, but outside of that we're pretty solid, this is the most balanced team I've ever had" said Bentley.

The 2006-2007 Canada-West regular season title-holders, the Bisons, were tentative out of the blocks, allowing the Cougars the keep the opening set close at the start. Manitoba settled down eventually with dominant play coming from fourth-year player, Erin Nieuwenburg, and second-year middle hitter Ashley Voth. Showing signs of life late in the set, the Cougars mounted a comeback to tie the set at 23, but were ultimately out-matched by the Bison squad 26-24.

Regina had a strong start to the second set going on a four-point-run early. The Cougars held the momentum for most of the set, extending their lead by as much as eight points at the second technical timeout. By the end of the set, the score was 25-14 for the Cougars, tying the game at a set apiece.

The Bisons returned the favor in the third frame, going on an 8-1 run to start. Bisons team captain, Sabrina Barnes, made several key blocks extending the Bison lead even further to as much as 15-4. It was a complete role reversal from the second set for Regina as Manitoba won the set 25-11.

The Bisons carried their momentum into the fourth set where they held a three-point lead on the Cougars for much of the set. The Bison lead was extended throughout the later portion of the set with aggressive play coming from both Barnes and Nieuwenburg. The final score in the set was 25-13 giving Manitoba the 3-1 win.

The Bisons' Amy Matthews lead all players with 12 kills in the match, while Beth Clark, and Tammy Jule each had 10 for the Cougars. Player of the game honors went to fourth-year player, Erin Nieuwenburg.

"Even in our moments of inconsistency, we were able to come back, and we played our game," said Nieuwenburg. "I think at times we showed our best game yet."

In the second game of the season for both teams, the Bisons and the Cougars will square off again tomorrow night, October 27, in a re-match at the Investors Group Athletic Centre at 5 p.m.

Complete statistics...