WINNIPEG – The University of Manitoba men's volleyball team, with a record of 2-4 in their 2022-23 campaign, played host to the UBC Thunderbirds on Friday night on the court inside the Investors Group Athletic Centre. UBC entered the match with a 5-1 record and looking to keep pace with the conference leading Trinity Western Spartans. 
 
Despite being the underdog on paper, Manitoba claimed a convincing straight-set victory over the Thunderbirds 25-22, 25-17, 25-16. Led by Matthew Campbell, who had the second-most kills in a game in his careerm with 11 while adding four assisted blocks, propelled his Manitoba team to their third win of the season. Matt Neaves led UBC with a game-best 12 kills. 
 
"He was on fire today," said Bisons Head Coach Lupo Ludwig, commenting on the play of Campbell. "He did everything right. He blocked. He hit. He wasn't scared of hitting the ball. You could see just how much better he got with every ball. He played really really well out there."
 
Second-year Bison Eric Ogaranko tied Campbell for the team lead in kills, adding 11 of his own to the box score. As a team, Manitoba finished the game with a hitting percentage of .293.
 
The two sides battled to an early 10-10 tie to begin the game. A few points later, Manitoba pulled away to take a 16-13 lead thanks to a kill from fourth-year Ben Carleton. The set remained tight as UBC strung together a few short runs to later tie the opening set at 19-19, following a key block from Thunderbird setter Mason Greves. However, Manitoba found themselves on set point up 24-22 before conference block leader, Jonah Dueck, put down the set-clinching kill, sealing it for his Bisons squad 25-22. 
 
Manitoba kept their momentum throughout the second set, jumping out to a commanding 15-8 lead, a deficit that proved to be too much for UBC to overcome. Ogaranko and Campbell combined for 11 kills and it was Campbell who got up for the block that clinched the second set, 25-17.
 
The hosts remained dominant in the third frame as they looked to sweep the Thunderbirds in straight sets. Just like the set prior, the Bisons once again found themselves with an eight-point advantage, leading 19-11. Later, Jordon Heppner came up with a huge block for Manitoba to set up match point. On the very next point, Ogaranko put down his 11th kill of the game to claim the three-set victory for the Bisons.
 
"Tomorrow is going to be a tough one," added Ludwig, speaking to the rematch against UBC coming up on Saturday afternoon. "We played really well and I am sure they didn't play their best today. I think we can expect them to play a lot better tomorrow. It should be a lot harder for us." 
 
Both teams will be back at Investors Group Athletic Centre tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. for the final game of the weekend.