Only one team handed national champion Alberta a loss during the 2024 U SPORTS playoffs, and that team was the Manitoba Bisons. With a roster that returns every starter from the second half of last year, and an incredible recruiting class, expect even bigger things in 2024-25 from the ‘Zoons.
“This year we are a little bit deeper, a little bit older, a little bit stronger, and more experienced than we were last year,” said head coach Arnd ‘Lupo’ Ludwig, who enters his fifth season as bench boss, having led the Herd to the playoffs every season.
“We can switch at each position and we will not get any weaker. There will not be a huge drop.”
The Bisons have eight roster members with Team Canada experience. Amongst that crop are 2023-24 starters Spencer Grahame, Jonah Dueck, Sammy Ludwig and Josh Jehle, while sophomore sensation Kai Boyko and blue chip recruit Owen Weekes most recently came off a summer with Canada’s U21 roster.
Incoming recruits Benjamin Kuhner and Travis Schroeder are also alum of Canada’s National Excellence Program.
Last year, Manitoba was one of the country’s best teams defensively, and that shouldn’t change in 2024-25. Team Canada U21 alums Josh Jehle (libero) and Jonah Dueck (middle) finished second, and first respectively in Canada West in digs per set (2.34) and blocks per set (1.33), while the Bisons were second in the conference in total blocks, with 255.
Additionally, left side Eric Ogaranko, who’s led the team in kills in the past, amassed 110 digs a season ago, one of our Bisons to go over 100 on the campaign. Offensively his precision and volleyball IQ will be an asset, and he has 465 kills in his first three seasons as a Bison.
Individually, seven Bisons reached career highs in a variety of stats last season, including Grahame, whose 274 kills led the Bisons. Ludwig noted improvements in Grahame’s serving, while his “loud and vocal” leadership style is a key piece for Manitoba.
At the setter position, Sammy Ludwig is coming off a career high 849 assists, while fellow veteran Alex Witt has been impressive in the pre-season, adding further depth to one of the most well-rounded teams in the country.
In the middle, the Herd can roll five options, in Dueck, Jordon Hepper (former All-Rookie selection), Harrison Ens, and Tyson Nachtigall, who was “one of the our best middles” in the pre-season according to Ludwig.
A promising young core adds further depth for Manitoba.
At left side, Kai Boyko enters year two fresh off a U21 Team Canada summer, and he came into came into camp bigger, stronger and faster after playing in 34 sets a year ago.
On the right, 6’8″ Owen Weekes, the top graduating athlete in the province and an undefeated provincial champ, adds immediate power and skill to an already talented roster. He had 14 kills in his first U SPORTS action against Saskatchewan, and added 21 the next night against Brandon, hitting above .450 in both contests.
His skill-set is a perfect complement to 6’8″ Karil Dadash Adeh, who’s played pro all over the world, and adds significant swagger and skill for Manitoba after joining the squad after Christmas a year ago. In 31 sets played last year he had 96 kills and eight aces.
“It’s tough for an opponent. You have to prepare for anything. We will not get weaker when we bring in subs. On the court [Weekes] came in last week for Karil and lit it up. This is something that helps a lot,” said Ludwig.
“Another thing that I like about [Weekes] is if he makes a mistake, he keeps playing, which is a very, very good thing in volleyball. If he hits the block, next attack he’s doing something different and is going to score most likely.”
Manitoba’s roster is as close as ever, following a summer trip to Slovenia. While there, they had some incredibly competitive practices, which were “really good for this time of year.”
On the floor, the Bisons beat three pro teams, adding more confidence going into the current season.
“I think it’s always important where you have a phase where you don’t have to worry about anything, and can just practice. Those two weeks we were very focused on practices and the games. I think that helped us a lot, and being together the whole time doing cool things somewhere else in the world,” said Ludwig.
“You see a different style of volleyball. In North America everything is very similar in terms of athleticism, whereas in Slovenia you play against a 30-year-old with a little bit of a beer belly, but he kills you because he’s so experienced. When you play in Europe you can play for a pro team when you’re 16, 17 years old. You play sometimes with the same team for 14, 15 years. You learn from older players, and practicing against them. It’s cool playing against these teams because they’re out there to win. They do everything to win. I saw a different mindset.”
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