WEEKEND PREVIEW: Men’s volleyball, women’s hockey continue push for top six positions

With less than a month until the winter break, the battle of top six spots in the conference is heating up. The men’s volleyball team comes home for the first time, while the women’s hockey team faces a Regina squad that’s nipping at their heels for the final playoff spot in the conference. 

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL VERSUS CALGARY (THURSDAY & FRIDAY, 7 PM CT, CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS)
At home for the first time in the 2023-24 campaign, the men’s volleyball team (2-2) faces a 3-1 Calgary squad that’s been quite a handful in recent contests against the Herd. The Dinos have won the last four matches against Manitoba, however eight of those sets were decided by five points or less, as the two teams continue to showcase a thrilling rivarly. 

The last time the two sides faced (February of last year), Dinos outside hitter Erik Godwin was the most efficient player, with a combined 23 kills. He leads Calgary with 57 so far on the year, while 6’9″ third-year middle Louis Kunstmann isn’t far behind, with 46, and a .305 hitting percentage. 

On the other side is a Bisons team that is second in CanWest with 2.61 blocks per set. 

The powerhouse duo of Jordon Heppner and Jonah Dueck have picked up where they left off a year ago in the middle. Dueck — coming off a summer spent with Canada’s U21 national team — is tied for the conference lead, with 1.50 blocks per set, while last year’s national Rookie of the Year Jordon Heppner is fourth, averaging 1.14 blocks per set. 

Overall, four Bisons are in the top ten in blocks per set, as fifth-year hitter Ben Carleton and powerful 6’7″ right side Nicoles Carter are both averaging a block per set as well. 

The Bisons’ depth has also been a strength during the 2023-24 campaign. A total of 13 players have been involved in at least one set, with six players tallying at least nine kills, led by Eric Ogaranko’s 41. 

Additionally, second-year setter Sammy Ludwig — one of four Bisons along with Dueck, Spencer Grahame and Josh Jehle to play for Canada this summer — is second in assists per set, with 9.93.

This weekend kicks off a two-week stretch of home games for the ‘zoons, who’ll play at IGAC three times in their last four weeks prior to the winter break. 

WOMEN’S HOCKEY VERSUS REGINA (THURSDAY & FRIDAY, 7 PM CT, CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS)
At the rink, the women’s hockey team welcomes a Regina squad that’s tied for the sixth and final playoff spot, with seven points. 

The two teams have split their last six games against each other, however Manitoba went 3-1 against Regina in 2022-23, winning both matchups at home. 

Special teams was a massive factor in all four games played last year. Of the 17 goals scored, nine came the power play, while one was recorded short-handed. In 2023-24, the Cougars are fourth in CanWest, operating at 20 percent on the power play. 

Three of the four games last year were also decided by a goal. In Regina’s lone win, defenceman Hannah Pennell scored the game-winner on the power play in the second period. She has two goals on the year to lead all Cougars defenders. 

In Manitoba’s two one-goal wins last year, Kaitlyn Chatyrbok and Kylie Lesuk scored the game-winners. Lesuk is one of 11 different Bisons to score a goal this season, as the squad continues to boast a versatile roster that fires on all four lines. 

Forward Aimee Patrick added two goals in the Herd’s most recent game against Regina this past January, and she’s tied with multiple players for second with two goals on the year. Leading the way for Manitoba is Ashley Keller, with three goals. She’s tallied at least three in her trio of years with the Bisons. 

Additionally, defender and 2022-23 Team MVP Camille Enns leads the team with eight points — just one shy of tying her career best, set last season. Regina has been led by Brandon, Manitoba native Paige Hubbard. The former Cougars Rookie of the Year has nine points in ten games.