Box Score Written by: John Gaudes

WINNIPEG  - Falling early, but showing tremendous resilience, the #5 Manitoba Bisons women's volleyball team took the first game of their best-of-three Canada West quarterfinal series against the #6 Alberta Pandas - winning in four sets on Friday, February 14 at Investors Group Athletic Centre (U of M campus).

Manitoba can clinch the series tomorrow night in Game 2, which starts at 6:30 p.m. CST.

Manitoba was led by a strong finish from Rachel Cockrell, who had 16 kills - 14 of those coming in the final three sets. Taylor Pischke added 14 kills of her own, while Jordana Milne's presence was felt at the net - she notched six blocks on the night.

Alberta got solid contributions in the loss, led by Meg Casault with 13 kills. Dione Lang added ten kills in the middle.

"Whether you win or lose the first set, at this point in the year the teams are so good that you can't let it affect you," said Bisons head coach Ken Bentley. "I thought we moved forward beautifully after that first set. We were very firm in that next set and took care of things on our side."

Alberta's strongest players made their presence felt at the start of the night. Casault and Lang combined for nine kills in the first set, and their play allowed the Pandas to play with the lead. Though the Bisons would tie it briefly in the middle of the frame, a five-point service game from Mami Miyashita would put Alberta up 22-17 late - a lead they would carry to the 25-20 set win.

Responding to the set loss, Cockrell started to heat up. With Milne blocking at her side at the net, Manitoba found success for large portions of the second and third sets. Though Alberta would put a scare into Manitoba by fighting off two set points late in the second, the Bisons were able to close, 26-24, to tie the match.

Utter domination followed in a 25-10 third set win, as Cockrell showed off her power from all over the floor. She would go for 11 kills in the second and third sets to lead all players.

Alberta was more resilient in the fourth, as the two teams traded points until late in the set. Manitoba, taking a 22-19 lead on a strong Pischke solo block, saw the Pandas battle back and tie it up on two tight line calls. Closing the door, though, was Milne at the net - whose stuff block gave the Bisons two match points and gave them the margin they needed to eke out a 25-22 set win.

Manitoba and Alberta will continue their series at Investors Group Athletic Centre on Saturday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m. CST. If necessary, the third game goes Sunday, Feb. 16 at 2:30 p.m. CST.