Veteran bench boss Ken Bentley continued to etch his name in the history books on Saturday afternoon at Investors Group Athletic Centre, recording win number 1100 in a 3-0 sweep of the Winnipeg Wesmen. The win improves No. 10 nationally ranked Manitoba’s record to 13-7, and they are just two points out of a top four playoff spot. The top four teams in the conference after the regular season will host a home playoff game.
The game had a playoff feel, as the 14-6 Wesmen were looking for a sweep after winning Thursday in their own gym. The Herd had other ideas, improving their record at home to 11-0 in a packed facility.
Bentley’s 500th win also came against the Wesmen, a team that the bench boss has battled countless times in his career.
“It feels good,” said the clearly emotional head coach, also the first Canadian university volleyball coach to win 1000 games. “They’re a tough team. Winnipeg and Manitoba, it’s always been a classic rivarly. I’ve been in this gig for almost 40 years. It never disappoints.”
Manitoba showed all kinds of heart, digging the ball relentlessly to keep countless rallies alive. Four different players had at least ten digs, led by libero Julia Arnold’s 20. Offensively, Ella Gray and Raya Surinx combined for 27 kills, proving to be unstoppable at times, especially when going cross-court.
The game’s key moment occurred in the second set. Down by four at 19-15, Bentley subbed in captain Light Uchechukwu, who helped to drastically alter the momentum of not only the set, but the rest of the game.
Uchechukwu, who Bentley has known through the Junior Bisons Volleyball Club for the vast majority of her life, finished the set with two kills and also set up the middle attack with multiple digs from the back row, recording three in total.
“We did it against Sasktchewan, we were down 22-16 and just hung in there. Light went in and won the set for us,” added Bentley. “She was the difference to turn things around. She was amazing. On the spot, she had to go in there and be a leader and play great volleyball and she did that.”
Manitoba will finish their home schedule up next weekend againat Fraser Valley, looking to complete an undefeated run at IGAC and will then play Calgary on the road to close out the regular season.
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