EDMONTON – The University of Alberta Pandas women's volleyball team recovered from a slow start to remain undefeated on the season thanks to a 3-1 (23-25, 25-18, 25-19 and 25-19) win over the Manitoba Bisons on Saturday, November 21 night at the Saville Community Sports Centre.

The win boosts Alberta's record to 10-0 on the season, and will keep them ranked No.1 in the CIS women's volleyball rankings. In fact, the Pandas have only lost two matches this season, both to UBC-O in preseason, and sport a 19-2 overall record against CIS competition this season.

The Pandas claimed both Canada West and CIS silver medals last season, and have the potential to play in those championship matches this season as well.

Manitoba, meanwhile, winners of the 2014 CIS championship now drops to 1-9 on the season. The Bisons have played seven matches that have gone past three sets however, including three matches that went into the fifth set.

The Bisons have a roster with seven rookies on the squad, including starters Hailie Bujan, Cassidy Pearson and setter Sydney Booker, and just two fifth-year student-athletes.

On Saturday night, one night after losing in straight sets to Alberta, the Bisons exacted a measure of revenge as they scored a well-played 25-23 victory in the opening set.

The first set was evenly contested throughout, with Alberta earning the largest lead before the technical timeout at 14-11. The Pandas then looked in control after the break, jumping out to a 22-18 lead, but the Bisons put together a 7-1 run, including a pair of points from Bujan and Pearson each as well as two attack errors by the Pandas, to slip past and take a 1-0 match lead.

Manitoba then opened the second set with a 6-3 advantage before Alberta responded with a 13-7 run to earn a 16-13 lead at the technical.

The Pandas then strung together another strong run, this time outscoring Manitoba 9-5 to level the match at 1-1 following the 25-18 win. Both Kacey Otto and Casault scored four points each in those final nine point to pace the Pandas.

The third set followed the same script as the second, with Alberta weathering an early Bison stampede before taking on a 16-12 lead at the technical. The Pandas carried that momentum over the break and took a hold of the match 2-1 with a 25-19 victory.

Both teams played it tight in the fourth as well, trading points back and forth throughout before, once again, Alberta slipped out to a 16-12 lead at the break. The Pandas then increased that advantage to 20-15 and 24-17, before the Bisons earned a pair of points back. Sitting at 24-19, the Pandas picked up the victory thanks to an attack error by the Bisons, giving Alberta the 25-19 win, and the 3-1 match score.

Casault led all players on the court tonight, finishing with 25 kills, while Otto chipped in with 15. The two offensive stars also recorded four aces on the night as Alberta spun a total of 13 against the Bisons.

Manitoba was led offensively by Bujan's 14 kills, but both Pearson and Jordana Milne each recorded 10 apiece in the loss.

The Pandas now head into their "bye" week, but will return to action on December 4-5 when they host the Brandon Bobcats. Manitoba, meanwhile, travels to Regina next weekend (Nov. 27-28) to take on the Cougars.