BRANDON – The reigning CIS women's volleyball national champion Manitoba Bisons played like their title suggests, storming to a straight-sets victory Friday, November 14 night in Brandon. The Bisons were led by co-captain Rachel Cockrell's match-high 26 kills as Manitoba won 3-0 (25-26, 25-23, 25-19).
 

The #2 Bobcats almost came away with the second set, leading 23-22 late, but the Bisons battle back and put up three straight points to take the set.
 

Cockrell's 26 kills ties the Canada West record for most kills in a three-set match, tying the record set at Brandon University last weekend by Thompson Rivers' Iluiia Pakhomenko, who put up 26 against BU on Saturday. Cockrell was efficient as well, scoring on 56.8 per cent of her attacks.
 

Brittany Habing put up 41 assists for the Manitoba side, while Carleigh Dobie put up 17 digs and Kalena Schulz added 15 digs.
 

The Bobcats were led by Shanlee McLennan's team-high 10 kills, while Mary Thompson put up 32 assists and 11 digs. Donata Huebert finished the match with a team-high 15 digs.
 

The win improves Manitoba's record to 5-6 while Brandon drops their second straight match to sit at 6-3.
 

The two teams will play again Saturday, Nov. 15 night in Brandon in the second-match of the weekend series.