Bisons men’s volleyball sweep Wesmen, secure Duckworth Challenge

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba Bisons men’s volleyball team met the Winnipeg Wesmen for the fifth time this year Wednesday night at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.

The matchup held more weight than the previous four for the brown and gold as they could clinch the 30th Duckworth Challenge with a win — and clinch they did.

The home team was dominant in their first game of the new year, winning in straight sets 3-0 (28-26, 31-29, 25-18).

Bisons head coach Arnd Ludwig got the win in his Duckworth Challenge debut and said a string of good practices helped his team in their first game since early December.

“I’m really proud of how focused and calm we were today,” he said. “We worked hard over the break and that got us ready for the game.”

Both sides looked to get out of the gates strong as the team who claimed the first set had won each game in the previous four matchups.

The opening frame was back and forth, requiring extra play before Manitoba prevailed by a score of 28-26. Winnipeg’s Nigel Nielsen led all players with seven kills in the first set and Ben Carleton and Brendan Warren led Manitoba with four each.

The Bisons carried their momentum into the second set, where they took an early lead and ultimately a commanding 2-0 set lead in the game. Carleton and Spencer Grahame’s attacks both found the floor four times to give Manitoba the 31-29 set victory.

Positioned firmly in the driver seat, Manitoba sent the IGAC faithful home early with a 25-18 win in the third set. Nielsen finished with a game-high 15 kills and Carleton led Manitoba with 11.

Wesmen head coach Larry McKay said there’s room for improvement in all aspects of his team’s game before their next match.

“They were the clear-cut better team tonight,” he said. “My main take is that both teams are very lucky to have the opportunity to play right now.”

The win gives Manitoba a 3-2 lead over their cross-town rivals in their season series with one game left to play.

The Bisons and Wesmen will meet again on Saturday, Jan. 22 at the Duckworth Centre.