October 27 - The number one ranked Manitoba Bisons (2-0) came out of their home-opening weekend with a sweep over the Regina Cougars (0-2), winning on Saturday night at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.

The Bisons took the game in four sets in the second game of the weekend series (18-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-13).

Head coach Ken Bentley was pleased with his team’s performance despite the opening set loss. “We didn’t play poorly, they just beat us in the first set,” said Bentley. “We didn’t change much, and I thought we stayed really strong.”

At the first technical timeout in the first frame, the Cougars held a three-point advantage 8-5. Nerves seemed to get the better of the Bisons as several unforced errors were made throughout the set. The Cougars were quick to exploit visable weaknesses, going up on the herd by as much as six points, and eventually took the set 25-18.

Nerves looked to be settling for the Bisons in the second set as they started with an 8-3 run and continued to roll from there. Great defensive play came both Sabrina Barnes and Christine Ewert who returned just about everything the Cougars threw at them. By the end of the frame, Manitoba tied the game up at one set each taking the set 25-20.

In the third set, The Cougars looked to bounce back with several big kills from Tammy Jule, but were ultimately stuffed by the Bisons defensive tandem of Barnes and Erin Nieuwenburg who helped the herd take the set 25-23. Nieuwenburg also helped out on offence as she had a pair of aces in the set.

The Bisons were in cruise control in the fourth set starting on an unbelievable 15-3 run. The nerves that were apparent in the opening set had completely disappeared by this point as the Herd lead by as much as 14 points, taking the set easily 25-13.

Sarah Morrissette earned player of the game by handing out 15 kills in the game, leading all players. Jule however was close behind with 14 kills for the Cougars.

“I thought we played solid all the way through,” said Morrissette. “We played a good game in the first set, they just played a better game.”

Regina will continue on the road next week, as they take on the University of Alberta Golden Bears on November 2 & 3. The Bisons will play cross-town rivals, University of Winnipeg Wesman, next on November 2 at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. The game starts at 6 p.m.

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