| Opening
round in the battle for first goes to Bisons Manitoba 3, UBC 2 (23-25, 25-21, 25-16, 28-30, 15-5) |
| November 9 - The number-one ranked Bisons (5-0-0) faced, arguably, their first real test in the young 2007-2008 season, as they hosted the number-three ranked UBC Thunderbirds (3-1-0) on Friday night at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. The undefeated Bisons had upset both the University of Regina, and the cross-town rival Wesmen in two game sets, in the previous two weekends respectively. The Thunderbirds had an equally impressive start to their season, going through Simon Fraser, and doubling up on the Wesmen as well. The opening set was nothing short of a collapse for the Bisons. Despite starting strong with a 9-3 run, and doubling up on the Thunderbirds by the second technical at 16-8, the second half of the set was all Thunderbirds. With the score 21-12 for Manitoba, UBC made a quick turn-around, and took the lead late, holding on to take the set 25-23. The Bisons stormed back hard in the second frame, displaying a balanced offensive attack that sprung to life and began to overwhelm the visitors. Led by hitters Amy Matthews and Samantha Loewen, Manitoba led most of the second set and eventually evened up the match, taking it 25-21. The third set was even more impressive as the Bisons continued to take it to UBC at the net as middles Erin Nieuwenburg and Ashley Voth formed an impressive wall at the net. The Bisons took the set 25-16. The Thunderbirds took a crazy fourth set as the Bisons came back from a six point deficit to serve for the match at 25 but were unable to put two points together when it mattered most and lost 30-28. The Bisons took the first eight points of the fifth and deciding frame and never seemed to look back. Led by Sarah Morrisette (12 kills) and Ashley Voth (who led with 18 kills), the Bisons dominated with a unrelenting power game. Amy Matthews finished the game with off with a heinous kill as the Bisons closed the set and won the match (23-25, 25-21, 25-16, 28-30, 15-5) The Bisons look to stay undefeated tomorrow night when they host the Thunderbirds at 6:00 p.m. at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. |