Cohesion and confidence high as Bisons women’s volleyball begin post-season

With three straight wins heading into postseason play this evening, the Bisons women’s volleyball team is peaking at the perfect time. In victories over Brandon and Regina over that span, they’ve lost just one set while giving up 17 points or less on four different occasions.

It’s a roster that’s beaming with confidence, and everyone is clicking. First-year setter Katreena Bentley leads the conference with 10.5 assists per set, while on the attack, second-years Keziah Hoeppner and Light Uchechukwu—both in the top 15 in the conference in kills—have combined for 73 during that span.

Additionally, first-year middles Brenna Bedosky and Eve Catojo added 18 kills. Bedosky also has eight assisted blocks over her last three games, and is tenth in Canada West with 38, while 21 of Catojo’s 22 assisted blocks have come during that span, adding yet another weapon to a versatile Manitoba roster.

That’s not to mention the team’s play defensively. The Herd have been one of the conference’s most reliable teams in that regard, with their 1,075 digs ranking second in the conference. They’re one of just two teams to eclipse 1000 digs on the year, led by second-year libero Julia Arnold’s 207. Just behind her is third-year libero Jordan Hamm, with 141, while first-year left side Ella Gray, Bentley, Hoeppner and Uchechukwu all have over 100.

It’s a testament to a group that plays for one other on every point, and who know each other well. Arnold, Hamm, Bentley and Uchechukwu have specifically played with each other at the Junior Bisons level since they were 11, with the first three being introduced to each other through the mini volleyball program alongside head coach Ken Bentley when they were in grade three.

“We’ve gotten really close, almost like a family level. [Uchechukwu] knows me probably more than I know myself. With [Arnold], we don’t even have to say anything. We’ve played together so much at this point, that if she’s getting the ball, I find myself already moving without thinking about it,” smiled Bentley.

“Just the level of comfort with each other is really high. We’re lucky to have been able to spend so much time together. Between the road trips and spending time at each other’s houses, there’s just so many memories. Wins aside we had a lot of fun off the court and just being able to spend time together, which you only really get with a team. You don’t really get those experiences with anyone else.”

The 6’1″ Bedosky is another Junior Bisons alum who knows Bentley and Arnold well, as all three attended Collège Jeanne-Sauvé, claiming a number of school banners along the way. Hoeppner also has roots with the Junior Bisons, as do several others, and with a roster that’s all around the same age, the team’s level of comfort was high right from the get-go.

“Even though this group is young in terms of eligibility, I’ve coached them for a long time, so it’s not a typical first-year relationship in terms of onboarding and adjusting to this level. That part was kind of already established,” noted Ken prior to the start of the season.

“It’s a little more collegial, as well it should be when you’ve reached a certain level of experience and you have valid insight into what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. That’s been really nice. I don’t ever worry about their work ethic or their commitment or what they’re doing in practice.”

Communication and living in the moment key

With all that being said, there were still building blocks that needed to be put in place in order for the team to thrive. They played in five matches that went to five sets but came up short on each occasion. Instead of pointing fingers, though, the group focused on living in the moment and taking things one point at a time, knowing that the talent and synchrony on the court would always be there.

Before their series against Brandon two weeks ago, they talked as a team, ensuring accountability while emphasizing communication. It was another chance for the group to stand by one another, something they’d done dating all the way back to the start of the pandemic.

The results showed in a 3-0 win over the Bobcats on Feb. 12 that started the three-game winning streak. Four different players had at least five kills in the win, while seven had a minimum of three digs.

“[Enhanced communication] was something that we implemented in the Brandon game and I feel that it made a really big difference,” noted Uchechukwu.

“Something just changed. We knew we were a really good team, and we wanted to show it. You kind of just have to be there in every single point, and keep talking, even when you don’t feel like talking. Sometimes you just have to fake it until you make it until you get there, and honestly, these last few games we’ve gotten there. We’ve just kept communicating and I think that’s been great, reminding people that if we’re going through a down, it’s okay, and just trying to keep a steady approach instead of going through all the emotions while playing.”

The team’s set two win against Regina on Feb. 18 supports Uchechukwu’s point thoroughly. Down 15-8 at one time, they battled back, scoring 12 of the next 16 points while not trailing the rest of the way en route to a 25-21 set win and eventual 3-0 sweep. The play of Catojo and Bedosky as controlling forces in the middle were critical during that span, while a half dozen players had at least one dig. This included Hoeppner and Bentley, who both dove to keep a rally alive that eventually tied the game at 19.

‘A cohesive team effort’

It’s a testament to the squad doing whatever it takes to win. This includes former All-Rookie member Uchechukwu, who’s been inserted into a variety of spots this season. A dominant middle during her high school days, she can plug in and be successful there, while her increased poise defensively and rocket of an attack make her a threat whether she’s attacking from the front row or the back.

“Being back out on the left, I do feel more comfortable and I feel like I have more of a leadership role. It’s been nice to play every position, and I still got the chance to play defence when I was in the middle, so that was nice,” she noted.

“It’s a lot easier for our back row to play defence when the front row’s block is where it is. All of us, before each game, we study where the hitters are going to hit. It’s a cohesive team effort to get those digs.”

“Whether someone is hitting on the left or the right like Ella or Kes, or if [Uchechukwu] is in the middle, or it’s Brenna or Eve, I think having a really deep team and having everyone be versatile and consistent, that would be the word to describe our team,” added Bentley.

“Having [liberos] Jordan [Hamm] and Julia [Arnold] both come and play defence in the back row, no matter who’s playing libero and who’s coming in to serve, I think that from them being subs and coming into the court, you don’t even notice it. I think that really speaks to their ability to just be consistent. You don’t even think about it. They’re getting digs and I’m setting it.”

Manitoba’s first playoff test is against Saskatchewan. They’re the top-ranked team in their division at 14-2, but the Bisons have taken them to five on two occasions. With the team hitting their stride at the perfect time, expectations are high for a deep playoff run.

“I think we’re really excited to show what kind of team we are and what we’ve worked so hard for this season,” said Bentley. “I think that’s what we’re most excited for about playoffs, is being able to show our true colours. This is what the whole season has been about, is leading up to this moment. I think we’re ready for it.”