MVB: Young stars show out in 3-1 win for Manitoba over UFV

WINNIPEG — Manitoba’s young stars showed out in a big way, and returning veteran Ben Carleton added a boost, as the Manitoba Bisons knocked off the Fraser Valley Cascades 3-1 (25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21) on Friday night at Investors Group Athletic Centre. 
 
With Jonah Dueck out of the lineup, rookie middle Harrison Ens stepped up with a career high nine assisted blocks, along with three kills and two service aces. Fellow freshman Sammy Ludwig also got the start at setter and had a career-high 25 assists, while the Herd had 16.5 team blocks. The Cascades were led by ten kills from Josiah Kruger and Eduardo Van Huizen. 

The win improves Manitoba’s record to 8-13, which is tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference. 
 
The two teams combined for ten service errors in the first set, with UFV leading 18-16 in a back and forth opener. Ludwig got into a groove as the set progressed, tallying ten assists as four different Bisons recorded at least two kills down the stretch. 
 
The Cascades got four kills from Eduardo Ferreira to lead all players, but 7.5 team blocks from Manitoba, including a set ending triple block did the trick. Overall, four different players had at least three assisted blocks, led by Ens’ four. 
 
The visitors led 19-15 in the second on the strength of six kills from Kruger, who hit at a .600 efficiency up to that point. 
 
Sensing a momentum shift, Bisons head coach Lupo Ludwig subbed in starting setter Jack Mandryk, as well as left side Ben Carleton, which made a huge difference. 
 
The latter was making his return to the lineup after missing all of the second half with an ankle and hamstring injury. 
 
Carleton, a multiple-year starter, got his first kill from the left to make it 21-19, and added a second to tie the game at 22, as UFV struggled to defend the pace of his attack. Overall, he had three in the game. 
 
“I’m happy to do whatever,” said a smiling Carelton after his first game back. “With our depth, I was joking with the guys that I’d take the middle spot. I’ve played middle before. Whatever is needed, I’m ready to help the team.”
 
Carter and Ludwig subbed back in shortly after, with the former getting a solo block and kill to give his team a lead they didn’t give up the rest of the way. 
 
For a third straight set, the Cascades made it to 18 first. This time the catalyst was Jonas Van Huizen, who had three early kills to set the tempo, while UFV’s passing continued to be a strength. 
 
But once again the hosts pushed back. Middle Jordon Heppner and left side Eric Ogaranko kept UFV on their toes with strong service pressure while combining for 14 kills, as Manitoba tied the game up at 23. 
 
A service error and powerful Van Huizen kill ultimately ended the set for the Cascades. 
 
Fraser Valley middle Ryan Hampe entered the game second in blocks per set in the conference, but it’s his attacking that was on full display. He had two early kills, and nine overall midway through the fourth in a back and forth set. 
 
With the score 15-13, Manitoba took control. They burst out to a five-point lead, thanks in part to errors from UFV as well as strong service pressure, including Ludwig’s second ace. 
 
The highlight of the fourth came from Carter, who recorded a thrilling pancake dig which eventually led to Manitoba’s 23rd point and the match shortly after thanks to kill nine from Heppner.
 
Both teams will play again tomorrow at 5 pm.