WINNIPEG — Right side Emma Parker and middle Haille Bujan combined for 34 kills and just nine errors as the Winnipeg Wesmen (4-6) completed a sweep of the Manitoba Bisons (2-8) with a 3-1 win (25-18, 19-25, 25-20, 25-21) on Saturday night at Investors Group Athletic Centre.
"Between the two of them, that's a good number to have for errors," Bisons assistant coach Joe Moore said postgame.
"They did a good job. We have to give them credit. We probably had them in a few different rotations and didn't capitalize, and ultimately the hat goes off to them tonight."
The Bisons were paced by 11 kills by left side Kearley Abbott while middle Allison Alcock added seven kills on 14 attacks, along with eight assisted blocks.
The Wesmen held a 16-11 lead at the technical timeout of the first set, getting all kinds of production from Parker, who had seven kills on 11 attacks.
Manitoba clawed back though, getting to within one at 16-15. Left side Julia Horne was stellar at the service line during the run, while Alcock had four kills and an assisted block.
That's when left side Ashleigh Laube took over. She had two three total service aces as Winnipeg allowed just three more points the rest of the way. Bujan was also effective, with four kills on eight attempts.
Winnipeg led by as much as five in the second set, however Manitoba battled back, taking a one-point lead at the technical timeout that they wouldn't relinquish the rest of the way.
Outside hitter Light Uchechukwu was massive during the Bisons' initial comeback run, finishing with three kills in the set and two assisted blocks. Abbott added five kills as Manitoba hit .370 as a team.
Winnipeg put themselves in a tough spot with nine errors, however middle Taylor Boughton was a bright spot with three kills.
Manitoba led 9-8 in the third set on the strength of impressive net play from Abbott and Alcock, who combined for five assisted blocks.
Winnipeg turns things around though, scoring seven of the next nine points as they held on for a 25-20 set win. Setter Rylie Dickson made her presence felt, tallying nine assists, a kill, three digs and two total blocks.
Manitoba led by as much as six in the fourth set, but couldn't close things out. Laube was a menace from the service line once again, giving her team a 12-11 lead on her fourth of five aces. Winnipeg never trailed the rest of the way, closing out the game with the 25-21 win.
Next up for Manitoba is a road tilt against MacEwan. Winnipeg is on the bye.
