WVB: Cougars come back to beat Manitoba 3-1

MRU women’s volleyball make a three set comeback after giving up the opening set to the University of Manitoba Bisons Friday night. The Cougars ended up taking the game 3-1 in an exhilarating match-up, 22-25, 25-16, 25-16, 25-20.

The night started strong with a huge swing and a service ace from Madison Marshall before MRU took off, leading early 8-2.

Manitoba regained their footing after being pushed back at the start and brought the score to 15-14 in their favour for the mid-way point of the first set. 

The visitors eventually took the set after a massive block error on the Cougars side sending it way out of bounds.

There was a complete shift in second set for Mount Royal, with better accuracy on sets and ball placement. MRU went on an incredible run, at one point leading Manitoba 19-7. But the Bisons didn’t give up easily and closed the gap to a 25-16 set win for the Cougars.

Madison Marshall was lethal tonight, with impressive ball speed off a hit that no one on the Bison side could stop. She ended the night with 16 kills, 12 digs, four service aces and two blocks. The powerhouse that is Marshall was a necessity in tonight’s victory. 

Eve Catojo was the wall keeping Manitoba alive, paired with Ella Gray, who reduced the deficit from a 10 point lead by MRU, to only seven in set two. But Faye Murray was able to sway momentum back in favour of the Cougars. 

During the second and third sets, Manitoba seemed to lose communication and their pass accuracy, providing the Cougars a massive advantage on the court, and gave them a third set win to bring the score to 2-1 for the home team. 

The third set went to Mount Royal, topping Manitoba 25-16. 

The Cougars took off in the fourth hoping for a quick finish but Manitoba was too determined, and began bringing momentum back in their favour, holding MRU at 24 while they made up five.

The game finally finished with MRU taking the fourth set 25-20. 

The teams come back to Kenyon Court with a five p.m. service, before heading into winter break.