WINNIPEG – The No. 8 ranked Manitoba Bisons put up an impressive fight against the No. 1 seed Trinity Western Spartans, but the depth and talent of the best team in the country was too much, as the Canada West champs knocked off the Herd 3-0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-19) to advance to the semi-finals of the U SPORTS men's volleyball championship at Investors Group Athletic Centre.

Third-year outside Brodie Hofer, who was second in the conference with 4.35 kills per set, was named Trinity's Player of the Game after pacing the team with 13 kills and a .429 attacking percentage. He also added four digs, a service ace and an assisted block and was one of five different players with at least three digs. Offensively, five different players had at least six kills in a well-rounded showing.

The Bisons were led by All-Rookie member Spencer Grahame, who had eight kills, while veteran setter Jack Mandryk had 18 assists and three digs. Captain Owen Schwartz added a team-high five digs, along with two assisted blocks, a service ace and four kills.

"Absolutely there were some nerves," Schwartz acknowledged postgame.

"Coming in as the underdog and playing against the number one seed with 1500 to 2000 people, there's going to be some nerves. After the first set we calmed down and started to improve. Trinity showed their human side, which was good to see that we could capitalize on some of that."

Heading into the matchup, serve-receive was a major storyline. The Spartans, who were tied for second in the conference with 129 service aces, do an excellent job of disguising whether they're serving float or spin, and that tactic paid off again in the first set, where the top-ranked team tallied six service aces and a .375 hitting percentage. Manitoba got two kills from Schwartz Ben Carleton, who led the team in kills during the regular season, but could not match their opponent's service pressure, which resulted in a number of out of system plays.

"We fought for the ball and did some things really well. I cannot ask for more than that. I think they played a really solid game, and it started with their serves," said Bisons head coach Arnd 'Lupo' Ludwig. "It was just tough for us to get a consistent offence."

Manitoba rallied well in the second set, hitting at 32 percent. The performance of second-year middle Darian Koskie was a major factor, as he entered the third with three kills on six attacks, along with an assisted block, and was named Manitoba's Player of the Game. Trinity was just as dangerous on the attack though, with a .467 percentage, as middle Jackson Howe and Hofer combined for 15 kills through two.

"We had a couple of really good swings with Darian there, it just wasn't enough for us to be consistent," said Ludwig. "Every time we had two or three good points, they would go back to serve and then we were out of system, which was difficult."

The Bisons also dealt with adversity after an injury to super sub Matt Campbell. One of the team's best servers, who also had a dig and a solo block, his departure effected the team's depth entering the third.  

"Injuries happen, it's just how it is. It's unfortunate," added Ludwig.

"I was thinking about starting the next set would soup, but our three outside hitters did a good job, so I don't know if I would have done it. Soup is very important at the service line. We brought him in as a double sub, to give Jack [Mandryk] a break and to let [setter] Isaak [Fast] have three positions in the back row. With soup as an attacker and blocker, I think that could've helped us in the third set. Would it have changed the outcome? I don't know."

As Ludwig alluded to, Manitoba's outsides played well, especially in the second and third sets. Carleton, Schwartz and Grahame combined for seven kills in the third, doing a great job diversifying their attacks. Trinity's diverse attack was too much however, as Canada West Player of the Year Derek Epp recorded 14 assists, and had 38 overall.

Manitoba continues their schedule tomorrow afternoon with a consolation semi against Toronto. There's plenty to like from Ludwig's perspective, as the Herd look to bounce back against their OUA opponent.

"I think our outside hitters did a good job. We said okay guys, we want to do a little bit of work with our hands, and we had a couple of good moments," he said.

"When it's really running, I think our pipe works really well and I think in general, our ball handling is going the right way. We're still a little far away from where Trinity is, but we're going in the right direction. What we need to work on is the mental part of the game and being there all the time."