MVB: Bisons kick off second-half with sweep over visiting Griffins

WINNIPEG – After posting an 4-8 conference record in the first half of their season, the University of Manitoba Bisons men’s volleyball team came into the game sitting ninth in the Canada West standings. In the hunt for the eighth and final playoff spot heading into Friday nights match, the Bisons played host to the MacEwan University Griffins. 
 
Despite a shaky first set, the Bisons needed only three sets to take down the visitors, earning the straight-set victory 29-27, 25-19 and 25-21. 
 
“The first set you could see that we were a bit tentative but I am glad we were able to pull that one out,” stated Bisons Head Coach Lupo Ludwig. “The second set is when we are started to play a little bit more aggressive. I still felt we were a bit too tentative today, overall we can be more aggressive but it was the first game of the year and it was a big one too. Players know that they are a team we need to beat twice this weekend if we want to make the playoffs.” 
 
Half way through the opening set, the Bisons and Griffins were locked in a tight battle at 13-13, neither team were able to string together any extended runs, trading points consistently to begin the game. The same trend carried through to the end of the first set with both teams battling to a 25-25 tie. A few points later with Manitoba up 28-27, an attacking error by the Griffins gave the Bisons the first set. 

For a second-straight set, the two sides fought to a 13-13 tie at the mid way mark before second-year outside Eric Ogaranko put down a pair of kills, helping the Bisons take a 17-15 lead. The Bisons extended their lead to 24-19 before a service error by MacEwan helped Manitoba capture the second set. 
 
Unlike the previous two sets, Manitoba was able to carry their momentum into the third as they looked to sweep the Griffins in straights sets to kick off the second half of their season.  The Bisons jumped out to an early 6-1 advantage. Despite the early lead, as the set progressed, MacEwan slowly battled back to take a 14-13 lead, forcing a Manitoba timeout. The two sides continued to exchange points before the hosts wrestled a slim 23-21 lead, attempting to close out the match. Needing just two more points, third-year Matthew Campbell put down back-to-back service aces to clinch the game for Manitoba, improving their record to 5-8 on the season.
 
Manitoba will be back at Investors Group Athletic Centre tomorrow evening to finish off the two-game weekend series against the Griffins. 
 
“Tomorrow it is very important let we get aggressive right from the beginning,” added Ludwig. “We brought them back into the game a couple times tonight in this match. Tomorrow it is just as important that we really are aggressive and show them that we want to win that game.”