MANITOBA - The Manitoba Bisons (1-1) got a well-rounded performance, including 46 digs — ten from setter Jack Mandryk — in a 3-1 win (25-16, 25-20, 24-26, 25-23) over Mount Royal (2-2) on Sunday afternoon at Investors Group Athletic Centre.
"With our group, all of our back row guys are great at being ready for wherever the ball goes," Mandryk said post-game. "They're always thinking it's going to come to them and ready for the play."
Manitoba opened up a 9–5 lead early in the first set, forcing the Cougars to take a timeout. Setter Jack Mandryk was all over the court of the Bisons, with a kill, three assists and three digs. Overall in the first Manitoba had 14 digs compared to seven for the visitors.
The Bisons continued to control the first set, thanks to the passing and control of Mandryk and third-year left side Jon Laube, who made the start in place of an injured Ben Carleton. The duo combined for eight digs, while fifth-year right side Kevin Negus led all players with six kills.
Mount Royal made a push down 21-12, as first-year middle Jace Timmer had a key kill and two service aces, however it wasn't enough as the Bisons finished the first set with a .480 attacking percentage and won by nine.
A combined nine service errors kept the second set close, as the Bisons led 16-14 at the technical timeout. Outside hitter Chris Byam — who was a huge factor the night before — was the key cog on Mount Royal's side with four kills.
The energy inside of Investors Group Athletic Centre picked up towards the end of the set, as Negus made two ridiculous digs that led to a Manitoba point and shifted the momentum on route to a 25-20 set win.
Mount Royal came out energized in the third set and took a quick 8-4 lead, forcing a Bisons timeout. Byam was massive with the first kill of the set for his team as well as an assisted block to give the Cougars the four-point lead.
The Cougars carried a two-point lead at the technical timeout thanks to five kills from Byam, however Manitoba powered back to take a 19-18 lead, with a key solo block during their run from Negus and left side Zach Janzen.
The rest of the set was back-and-forth with outside hitter Trent Mounter as well as Byam powering down kills for Mount Royal in a 26-24 win.
The fourth set was the battle of the right sides, as Negus and Byam went back and forth. Some costly errors hurt the Cougars later however in a 26-24 set loss.
Next up for the Bisons is a road tilt against UBC Okanagan while Mount Royal will face UBC.
