WINNIPEG - The University of Manitoba Bisons ran into the roadblock known as the nationally top-ranked University of Alberta Pandas for the second-straight night, dropping a straight sets decision 13-25, 18-25, 18-25.
The loss drops the Bisons to .500 at 4-4, while the Pandas remain undefeated at 6-0.
Alberta took care of business in the first set, not allowing the Bisons to pick up more than two straight points at any point en route to a .448 hitting percentage with 16 kills on 29 attacks. Manitoba was not able to respond, hitting to a .000 percentage with 8 kills on 30 attacks.
The second set started closer, as Manitoba was able to stay within two at 10-8, but a five-point string from the Pandas led to the Bisons taking their second timeout of the set, trailing 15-8. Six of the next nine points would go their way, bringing the game back within four at 18-14, but another five-point string would take the wind out of the Herd's sails, eventually falling 25-18.
Manitoba's best opportunity came in the third set, battling from a 12-7 deficit to tie the set at 13, but the Pandas took six of the next seven, and 12 of the final 17 points to wrap up the sweep with another 25-18 set.
The Herd held the Pandas to a .270 hitting percentage in the final two sets, but were unable to overcome their own .062 percentage as well as the 11 blocks from Alberta's defence. Selma Hodne and
Brooklyn Grobb-Prins both shared the team-high with 8 kills and a pair of service aces for 10.5 points each.
The Bisons now have a week off before wrapping up the first half of the season in Calgary as they take on the Mount Royal Cougars on Friday, Nov. 27 (9:00 MBT) and Saturday, Nov. 28 (8:00 MBT). Both games will be available on
CanadaWest.TV.
