Wesmen secure top spot with win in Brandon

BRANDON — Daniel Thiessen continued his all-Canadian campaign Thursday in leading the Winnipeg Wesmen to an important win on the road.

Thiessen, an all-Canadian in 2019-20, continued his stretch as one of the best attacking outsides in Canada, notching 26 kills and hitting .442 to lead the Wesmen men’s volleyball team to a 3-1 (26-24, 25-18, 23-25, 25-19) Canada West conference win over the Brandon Bobcats. He also had four block assists. 

The win clinched first place in the East Division and a hosting privilege for the Wesmen with three matches to play. Winnipeg improved to 9-6, Brandon dropped to 7-8 while Saskatchewan, on a bye, sits between the two in second place in the division. The top team from each of the Canada West’s three divisions host a four-team playoff pool starting March 4.

Thiessen had his 13th career match with at least 20 kills and his sixth this season while adding a match-high seven digs. Over the past five matches, he’s averaging 19.4 kills per match. 

He now leads the country in kills (254) and points (294), while ranking in the top 10 in U Sports in digs (110) and attacking percentage (.326)

Nigel Nielsen added 12 kills while hitting .333 for the Wesmen, who host the Bobcats for Senior Night on Saturday (5 p.m.). 

The Wesmen hit .364 for the match, including .522 in the second set.

Setter Matt Klysh had a career-high 55 assists, the most assists for a Wesmen setter since Mikael Clegg had 58 in a five-set win at MacEwan, Dec. 4, 2018. 

Philipp Lauter and Max Brook both had 10 kills for the Bobcats, who hit .222 as a team. Brandon had 20 total blocks to Winnipeg’s 10 on the night. 

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