KAMLOOPS, BC – The Bisons men's volleyball team continued their climb in the Canada West standings on Friday, as they improved to 7-6 and fifth place with a four-set win over the Thompson Rivers WolfPack (25-21, 25-21, 27-29, 28-26).
The win is the fourth in Manitoba's last five matches. Canada West kills per set leader Kevin Negus led the way for Manitoba offensively, with 15 kills in 58 attacks, four service aces, and five digs. Darian Koskie added eight kills in 14 chances.
Despite the win, Bisons head coach Garth Pischke was looking for an improved ability to close for his young Manitoba team.
"I think we were good for two sets, but then we got lulled to sleep," said Pischke. "We really didn't keep our composure in those last two sets and the match could've gone either way because of that. We got it back a little bit, but nothing consistent after those first two sets."
TRU was led by Nimo Benne, who had 13 kills in 40 chances with 19 digs and a block assist. The WolfPack are now 2-13 on the season.
In a choppy start to the match, a service run from Negus helped steady the ship for Manitoba. Behind the line, the fifth-year put down three service aces to help the Bisons go on a 5-0 run to 10-6. Manitoba was able to maintain a lead from there, winning the first 25-21.
In the second, the Bisons again got up to a big lead at 5-1. A libero change midway through the set, which brought in second-year Mathieu Lavoie for third-year Kyle Martens, changed up personnel but not momentum, as Manitoba rode six Negus Kills to an identical 25-21 win.
The third was hotly contested from the start, with the teams tying six times before the WolfPack took an 8-6 lead. Another service ace helped the Bisons tie it at 13, but the two teams continued to trade off points right past 25. The set ended on "two touches" by the Bisons, handing TRU their first set win.
In the fourth, the Bisons were able to close it down thanks to the skill of Negus. A laser of a kill at 24-24 put Manitoba up, and TRU were never able to take a lead back, as the Bisons won it at 28-26.
The two teams meet again Saturday at 6:45 PM PT.
