Bobcats battle back to beat Cougars in season finale

BRANDON, Man. – The Brandon Bobcats battled back from an early deficit and found a way to send the team’s graduating seniors off in style with a 3-1 (18-25, 28-26, 28-26, 25-13) win over the Regina Cougars Saturday night.

The night got off to an emotional start after Caitlin Le started but subbed out immediately afterwards. The senior from Mississauga, Ont. has been out with a knee injury but was recognized prior to the game as a starter. The Bobcats carried that energy into the first set jumping to an early three-point lead before the Cougars stormed back and won the race to 16 and hung on from there.

The second set saw Regina start strong before Brandon battled back. The Bobcats forced set point before the Cougars fought it off and forced two set points of their own. Nicole Ashauer then served it out.

The third set was a wild one that went extras, that also saw four set points by the Bobcats before ending it.

The fourth was all Bobcats, cruising to the victory to conclude the conference season.

Rayvn Wiebe was electric in her last home game as a Bobcat, finishing with a match-high 24 kills, just four shy of her career high which also happens to be the BU women’s volleyball single match record.

Nicole Ashauer had one of her best single-match performances, as the Calgary, Alta. product finished with nine kills but was spectacular from the service line and on defence, putting up three aces and six digs.

Le, Wiebe, Ashauer and Bain were all recognized following the match as part of Brandon’s senior night festivities.

The Cougars were led by Jessica Lerminaux’s team-high 20 kills.

The Bobcats now wait to see who the team’s first round match-up will be next weekend in the first round of the playoffs.