KAMLOOPS, BC – It was a match that didn't seem destined for a marathon but got that way all the same. The Manitoba Bisons were down 0-2 in sets to the Thompson Rivers WolfPack on Saturday, then rallied hard to win sets three and four. In the fifth, they would come up just short, as the home side earned the win (25-20, 25-23, 21-25, 17-25, 15-12).
The weekend split settles the Bisons record to 7-7, while the WolfPack improve to 3-11 and kept their slim playoff hopes alive.
Fresh off being named the Bison Male Athlete of the Week, second-year Ben Carleton put in a career performance. The second-year played both left side and middle, tallying 18 kills in 30 chances with two digs, a solo block, and three block assists.
Fifth-year Kevin Negus added 15 kills in 34 opportunities with six digs and four block assists.
"I think it was pretty entertaining, yeah, I thought both teams played a lot better than they did last night," said Bisons head coach Garth Pischke.
"Obviously it came down to the wire and they made a couple good plays at the end, had a real nice block for match point, and they deserved to win."
TRU was led by Charlie Bringloe, as the fifth-year had 16 kills in 30 opportunities with five digs and four block assists. Second-year Samuel Elgert had 50 assists, while Manitoba's Jack Mandryk led the team in passing with 42 assists.
The Bisons men return home next weekend, as they take on the UBC Thunderbirds on January 17 and 18 at IGAC.
