Bisons women get first straight set victory of season over Brandon

WINNIPEG —Saturday brought Manitoba an opportunity to split the weekend series with the Bobcats as the Canada West regular season begins to wind down, and the Herd did just that.

Manitoba brought their game to another level in the rematch, earning their first straight-set victory of the season (25-17, 25-10, 25-23). Second-year players Keziah Hoeppner and Light Uchechkwu combined for 27 kills in the win.

“Keziah has been real steady for us this year,” said Bisons head coach Ken Bentley. “She hit the ball really great tonight and made good decisions all match.”

Brandon’s Kaone Loch led her squad with eight kills in the match with Nicole Ashauer and captain Ravyn Wiebe each chipping seven kills of their own.

The Bisons got out to a hot start by taking a 16-12 lead at the technical timeout of the first set. Uchechukwu led with six kills in the opening set.

Manitoba brought their game to a new level in the second set and dominated the Bobcats. Riding their momentum from the first, the Bisons jumped out to a 12-2 lead and later expanded that lead to 16-4 at the technical timeout. Hoeppner put down three service aces as the Bisons went on to take the second set 25-10.

In a much tighter third set, the two teams battled back-and-forth but it was Brandon who consistently held a narrow lead.

Manitoba took their first lead of the third set after Hoeppner put down her fourth ace of the game to make it 14-13. With the hosts now holding a slim 17-15 and the Bobcats pressing, first-year Ella Gray came up with a huge dig to set up Uchechukwu, who put down her 11^th kill of the match.

Late in the third set, the Bobcats were assessed a rotation violation, setting up match point for Manitoba. The two engaged in a thrilling final point before Hoeppner iced it for Manitoba with her team-leading 14^th kill of the game to take the final set 25-23.

Manitoba will travel to Regina next weekend for their final two games of the Canada West regular season on Feb. 18-19.