WVB: Bisons win sixth in a row, 3-1 over Saskatchewan

SASKATOON — The Manitoba Bisons continued to roll on Saturday night at the PAC, extending their win streak to six with a 3-1 win (19-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-19) over the Saskatchewan Huskies. 

The win improves Manitoba’s record to 12-6, with their 24 points putting them right in the convesation to host a home playoff game. They’re just two points shy of third, with the top four teams getting to host a single elimination quarterfinal matchup between February 24-26.

Overall, Manitoba has lost just twice since November 18, getting going at the right time. 

Rookie Raya Surinx continued to roll in the victory, recording a career-high 22 kills, while right side Light Uchechukwu also posted 22 kills. Defensively, Julia Arnold, Katreena Bentley and Ella Gray combined for 40 digs, while middles Eve Catojo and Brenna Bedosky totalled 13 points as a duo in a well-rounded showing. 

Both teams hit at .300 through the first third of set one, with the Bisons taking a 14-11 lead thanks in part to a bevvy of digs from Arnold and Bentley that help multiple rallies alive. The Huskies however, went on an 11-5 run the rest of the way, capitalizing on multiple dump plays. 

It was all Bisons in the second, as Bedosky set the pace at the service line with her float serve. Manitoba led 9-2 and didn’t trail the rest of the way, with Surinx putting down the set-ending kill. 

The Huskies led 22-16 in the third, but went cold down the stretch. With Catojo at the service line, the Bisons were able to tie the game at 22 as the middle put down an ace and kept the hosts out of transition. Surinx and Gray would then combine for three kills to complete the comeback. 

The Herd didn’t trail at any point in the fourth, opening up a four-point cushion that expanded as the set went along. Catojo and Gray combined for an assisted block to end the game, as Manitoba swept a team on the road for the first time this season. 

Manitoba is on a bye this week, and will face cross-town rival Winnipeg in a home and home the following week as part of the Duckworth Challenge.