Volleyball welcomes MacEwan to IGAC to open the second half

Right in the thick of the playoff race, the Bisons volleyball teams welcome MacEwan to town for a two-game set. The men play at 6 and 5 pm on Friday and Saturday, while the women play at 7:45 and 6:45. Click here to get tickets. 

Men’s volleyball aims for 13-1 record all-time against Griffins
Location: Investors Group Athletic Centre
Social media: @umbisons
Stream: canadawest.tv

Manitoba enters play on a five-year undefeated streak against MacEwan (0-12 on the season), and 11-1 record all-time. They’ve lost just four sets since 2017 against their opponent and will look to improve their record to 6-8 with a sweep. The Herd are currently four points out of the final playoff spot, just behind cross-town rival Winnipeg entering the second half.

Injuries have hindered the Herd this season, with All-Rookie member Spencer Grahame, leading attacker Ben Carleton and fellow veteran Matthew Campbell among the hitters who’ve been walking wounded throughout the campaign. Nonetheless, head coach Lupo Ludwig has showcased a versatile roster, with 12 different players involved in at least ten sets. 

Breakout seasons for Eric Ogaranko — who made the switch to the left side this season — as well as middles Jonah Dueck and Jordon Heppner have kept the Herd on pace in the conference standings, while fifth-year setter Jack Mandryk has 320 assists. That total places him at 2,490 for his career, which is 19th all-time in Canada West history. Mandryk needs just 73 assists to reach the top 15 and 302 to crack the top ten. 

Speaking of Dueck and Heppner, they’re likely to have big weekends against a MacEwan team that’s allowing 2.30 blocks per set. The Herd are fourth in the conference, with 2.22 blocks per set, with Dueck’s 1.16 being the most of anyone in CanWest. Heppner isn’t far behind, and has 32 blocks overall. 

Offensively, 6’7″ right side Nicoles Carter is coming off a massive exhibition tournament in Quebec that saw him average just under ten kills per game in four matches played. A strong complement to Campbell, he’s primed for a breakout showing in the back half of the year.  

Women’s volleyball seeking 8-0 start at home 
Location: Investors Group Athletic Centre
Social media: @umbisons
Stream: canadawest.tv

The 6-6 women’s volleyball team will look to keep their winning ways going this weekend when they welcome 2-10 MacEwan to IGAC. The Herd — who are just four points behind Winnipeg and Mount Royal for a top four spot in the conference standings — have been unstopppable on home court, losing just one set in the first half of the season.

The two teams are 6-6 all-time, however the Herd hold the edge on home court, where they’re undefeated against GMU dating back to 2015. 

The Bisons are all over the top ten statisically, including long-time best friends Katreena Bentley and Julia Arnold, who sit second in assists per set (9.61) and digs per set (4.10), respectively.

Always willing to put their bodies on the line, the pair’s defensive intensity, along with the likes of Raya Surinx (92 digs), Andi Almonte (79 digs), Ella Gray (60 digs) and Light Uchechukwu (46 digs) have been key to the team’s transition game, and you can expect more of the same against a GMU squad that has 1294 attacks on the season. 

Overall, Manitoba’s 14.28 digs per set is fourth in the conference, while their ferocious block, led by middles Brenna Bedosky and Eve Catojo is second, at 2.15 per set. The pair are fourth and fifth in the conferene, with 40 and 37 blocks respectively, and will be key in stopping third-year outside hitter Mariah Bereziuk, who is eighth in the conference, with 141 kills.