WVB: Bisons increase win streak to five with 3-2 win over Saskatchewan

SASKATOON, SK – Down two sets, the Manitoba Bisons pushed back, extending their win streak to five with a 3-2 win (23-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-16, 15-13) on Friday night in Saskatchewan.

The win improves Manitoba’s record to 11-6, which is sixth in the conference but just two points back of third. The top eight teams qualify for playoffs, with the top four hosting the first round. 

Five different Bisons had at least ten digs, as Manitoba’s versatile defence kept numerous rallies alive, while Raya Surinx tied a career high with 21 kills. 
 
Fans could not have asked for a better start to the match than the first set. Rookie Abbey Klien scored three of the first four points for the Huskies, who went up 4-0, resulting in an early Manitoba timeout. The Bisons picked it up out of the timeout, grabbing the next two points. Saskatchewan would keep things rolling, going up 12-6 before Manitoba used their second timeout. Despite battling back to make it 23-23, the Bisons comeback attempt fell short as the Huskies won the set 25-23. 

Four players had at least three kills in the set for Manitoba, led by Raya Surinx and Ella Gray’s four. 
 
The second set saw the Bisons storm out of the gates going up 6-1 before Huskies’ coach Mark Dodds tried to limit the damage with a timeout. Dodds pulled the right string as the Huskies found a groove, heading to a 12-11 lead before Manitoba took a timeout themselves. It was the Bisons who would find a rhythm later in the set, with four straight points to go up 17-15. Manitoba would lead the rest of the way in the face of a  strong Huskies counterattack to take the set 25-20.

Surinx led the way with six kills, while Gray sealed things with her fourth kill through two. 
 
The third set saw Manitoba strike off three runs early in the set to take a 12-8 lead. With the Huskies trailing by five, Coach Dodds used another timeout, creating some magic for the Huskies, who rallied back to tie it at 18. The Huskies would finish the set strong winning 25-23 to take a 2-1 lead in the game. 
 
The fourth set was all Manitoba right from the first serve. The Dogs got it within four points at 9-5, but that would be the closest they would get as the visiting Bisons ran away with the set 25-15 to force a fifth and final set. Service pressure was the story, as Manitoba recorded five aces, led by Surinx’s two. Brenna Bedosky, Eve Catojo and Light Uchechukwu also had aces.
 
The final frame saw Manitoba jump out to a quick 4-2 lead. The Huskies would bend going down 12-6 later in the set, but they would not break storming back to make it 12-11. The comeback would prove to be a bit too late, as Manitoba would take the final set 15-13, winning the match 3-2.
 
The Bisons shared the wealth with four players recording double digit kills, while setter Katreena Bentley had 44 assists on the night.