LANGLEY -- Playing against Trinity Western, the reigning conference champion and winner of five of the last six CanWest banners, Manitoba showed all kinds of heart. They lost All-Rookie member Spencer Grahame to injury early in the game but kept fighting, battling back from 2-0 down to take the game to five. 

Big performances from veterans Ben Carleton and Jack Mandryk, as well as second-year middle Jonah Dueck were critical to the team's run, while 11 different players got into the same, showcasing the team's versatility. 

Manitoba out-hit the Spartans in the second set, with a percentage of .280, and took that momentum into the third. They led by two at numerous points, but saw Trinity fight back to take a 16-15 lead. Undeterred, Manitoba fought back. Pancake digs from Mandryk (team-leading 11 on the day) helped keep multiple sets alive, while Dueck was huge in getting his team a 24-21 advantage after a kill and sprawling dig. 

Dueck, Manitoba's best attacking middle due to his quick release and wingspan, had six kills in the game, along with four assisted blocks, and finished the weekend second in the conference with 15 total blocks. His 1.88 blocks per set also led Canada West. 

Carleton then finished off the set with a powerful kill, facilitated by the 23rd assist of the game from Mandryk, who had 38 overall and 62 on the weekend. 

The fourth set was another back-and-forth duel. Manitoba took a 23-21 lead, but saw the hosts tie the score. Dueck then obliterated a ball straight over the Spartans' middle, and Carleton finished off a second set in a row, adding to his team-leading 17 kills and 20.5 points. 

Trinity was the first to 15 in the fifth, however the Bisons have plenty to be happy about as they get set to host their home opener this Saturday at Investors Group Athletic Centre.