WINNIPEG – The Mount Royal Cougars didn’t commit an error until the 63rd point of the match on Friday against Manitoba, sweeping the Bisons 3-0 (21-25, 19-25, 20-25) at Investors Group Athletic Centre.
The win improves MRU’s record to 4-3, while Manitoba fell to 3-4.
The Cougars finished the match with 17 assisted blocks, compared to nine for the Herd. Team Canada NextGen athlete Chris Byam led the way with 16 kills along with three assisted blocks and a solo. The Bisons were led by Spencer Grahame and Ben Carleton, who combined for 19 kills, while neither hit worse than .286.
The difference was MRU’s depth, with five different players hitting at least .286. As a team, MRU hit .427, compared to .200 for Manitoba.
“They have experienced outside hitters. Mount Royal, for me were number one in the west [in the coaches poll],” said Bisons head coach Arnd ‘Lupo’ Ludwig.
“The fact that they were 3-3 was a little bit shocking to me. But we did not put the pressure on them as much as we wanted to. A team plays as good as you let them play, and we let them play well.”
All three sets were close to the midway point. The first was tied 13-13 and the second was 17-16 for MRU, with the visitors shutting it down in the back half. Mount Royal also broke the third set wide open with the score 8-8, going on a 7-1 run to secure momentum they didn’t relinquish.
Luise Lange (.455 hitting percentage and five kills) was the catalyst for MRU’s first set run, with two kills and an assisted block, while Cody Boulding went on a six-point run at the service line in the second, which accounted for MRU’s monster finish to the middle set.
A stuff block and line shot from Byam in the third helped give his side momentum, as he hit .652 on the night.
The highlight of the match for Manitoba came in the second with MRU up 8-6. Setter Sammy Ludwig and middle Jordon Heppner denied the Cougars on three straight attacks, eventually winning the rally.
Both teams will play again tomorrow at 6:45.
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