The Manitoba Bisons women's volleyball team will look considerably different when it takes the court in 2026-27.

But according to head coach Ken Bentley, there is one thing that won't change: the standard.

Over the past two seasons, the Bisons have said goodbye to 11 seniors, all with national championship experience. The turnover continued last season with the departure of Raya Surinx, one of the most prolific point scorers in U SPORTS history.

It means a significant changing of the guard for Manitoba — but also an opportunity.

"The court is wide open for starting roles and the team is obviously excited for these opportunities," Bentley said.

A New Look, Same Identity

The scale of the roster changes is significant, but Bentley doesn't expect the Bisons to suddenly become a different team.

The program's style of play will remain largely intact, with the focus instead shifting to developing a new group of players into those roles.

There is some continuity, led by fifth-year libero Chelsea Siebenga and fifth-year middle Aviendah Plett. Around them is a roster filled with players who have spent the past few seasons learning alongside some of the best players in the program.

That experience, Bentley believes, could prove valuable now that the spotlight is on them.

"Our current roster got to train and compete with an amazing team these past few years and are eager to show this progress on the floor," he said.

The result should be a Bisons team that looks new on the floor, while still carrying many of the same characteristics that have defined the program.

Maintaining the Bison Standard

For Bentley, the foundation begins away from the scoreboard.

The Bisons want to be known for their work ethic, compete level and commitment to the culture they have built within the program. That consistency has been a major focus throughout the off-season and into training camp.
The work started well before the first practice.

Bentley says the team's off-season preparation was strong, leaving the group entering the season with a high level of fitness and a solid understanding of the program's philosophy.

"I expect us to play Bison Volleyball once again in 2026," Bentley said.

That expectation is particularly important with so many new faces taking on larger responsibilities.

Players Ready for Their Opportunity

With so many starting positions available, a number of players have a chance to establish themselves.

Beth Carter enters her second season having developed into a strong attacker, while Jersey Hansen-Young gained valuable experience as a rookie last season and has returned fit and ready to take another step.

The Bisons also have significant depth in the middle, with several players capable of competing for starting roles. Lucy Jurgensen has made an excellent start to her second season as well.

There are also newcomers who could make an immediate impact.

First-year Norwegian recruit Selma Hodne has impressed early, while transfer Brooklyn Grobb-Prins arrives from NCAA Division I and has also made a strong start.

For a team undergoing such a significant transition, having multiple players pushing for opportunities is exactly what Bentley wants to see.

Shiny and New

If there is one challenge that stands above everything else, it is simply figuring out what the new lineup looks like.

"The biggest hurdle is to develop an entirely new lineup — full stop," Bentley said.

It is a challenge that comes with the territory after losing so much experience, but it is also an opportunity for the returning players and newcomers who have spent years waiting for their chance.

"This season marks a substantial change to our team," Bentley said. "The fans better get a roster in front of them because it is going to be shiny and new!"

Becoming a Team Nobody Wants to Play

The goal is not to pretend the transition will be easy.

Bentley knows there is a great deal of work ahead before the Bisons become the team he expects them to be late in the season.

But by February, he wants Manitoba to have developed into a group capable of competing with — and beating — the top teams in Canada West.

That progression will come from the same daily habits that have been emphasized throughout the program: training hard, maintaining the culture and continuing to improve together.

"The day to day is a true constant," Bentley said.

And he remains excited about what that process could produce.

The Bisons have recruited athletes who Bentley believes are also good students and good people — a combination he sees as central to what the program is all about.

After years of national-championship experience shaping the program, a new group now gets its opportunity to write the next chapter.

The roster may be shiny and new.

The Bison standard remains the same.