Volleyball hosts provincial rival Brandon in key series

Early season momentum is up for grabs this weekend, as the 2-4 Bisons volleyball teams welcome Brandon to IGAC. The Herd have combined to win six of their last eight games against their prairie rivals. 

On the women’s side, the Bisons have won five in a row against BU (0-4). During that time (dating back to the 2021-22 season) they haven’t lost a set. 

Versatility has been the name of the game for the Herd, who lead Canada West with 315 total kills. Six student-athletes have recorded at least 25 kills so far, while Manitoba’s 330 digs are second in the conference, led by libero Julia Arnold’s 78 (third individually). 

Last year’s series sweep against the Bobcats was particularly notable for hitters Raya Surinx, Light Uchechukwu and Andi Almonte.

In the first match, Almonte set a career-high with eight aces, keeping the opposition on their toes with her versatile jump-spin serve combo. She leads Manitoba with 71 kills (fifth in Canada West) this season, while also commanding the most volume, at 201 total attacks. Her eight aces are also tied with setter Katreena Bentley (leads Canada West with 258 assists)  for the team lead. 

Surinx had 35 kills in two contests against Brandon last season to lead all Bisons. She’s currently second in Canada West with 4.47 kills per set, and she has five aces in four matches played. Meanwhile, Uchechukwu had 15 kills over two games against BU, and she’s coming off a 13-kill, ten dig performance against last year’s national finalist Alberta. 

The duo are also approaching the elite 1,000 kill club. Rachel Cockrell is the only student-athlete in the rally scoring era to tally over 1,000 in her career, but Surinx and Uchechukwu are closing in, with 928 and 911, respectively. Only Cockrell (1,381) and Kearley Abbott (948) have more overall. 

On the men’s side, the Bobcats and Bisons are dead-locked at 2-4. Brandon is hosting nationals this season, offering the Herd a chance for momentum in case they see BU at the final eight in March. 

Brandon took both games against Manitoba last season. It was only the second series of the year for both teams, who progressed drastically from that point. The two sides combined for 74 total blocks in the two-game series, including 24 from the Bobcats in the Saturday rematch. 

Both teams are commanding the top of the stats in blocks again in 2024-25. The Bobcats are first in Canada West, with 64, while Manitoba is fourth, with 45. 

Individually, Brandon has three of the top six spots in total blocks. Chris Bryant leads the way, with 27, and Riley Grusing is one spot behind, with 26. Philipp Lauter is tied for fourth, with 23 total blocks, the same amount as Manitoba’s Jonah Dueck. 

Service pressure could be a major story in this one. The Bisons are much improved in that area, placing an enormous focus on their accuracy during the summer. They have 56 aces, 12 more than anyone else in Canada West, and 18 more than Brandon. 

Powerful right side Karil Dadash Adeh leads all players, with 17, while teammate Jordon Heppner is second, with 12. Meanwhile, left side Kai Boyko is tied for third with ten, and he’s also second in Canada West in digs, with 46.