WVB: Manitoba starts 2023 with straight sets win over MacEwan

WINNIPEG – The University of Manitoba Bisons women’s volleyball posted a conference record of 6-6 in the first half of the Canada West season. The six victories by the Bisons put them in a tie for the eighth and final playoff spot with several teams still in the hunt behind them in the standings. 
 
On Friday night, Manitoba welcomed the MacEwan University Griffins to the Investors Group Athletic Centre for the first of two games this weekend. Thanks to strong performances from Raya Surinx and Ella Gray, the hosts earned the straight-set victory 25-17, 25-21 and 25-14 to improve their record to 7-6 and keep pace in the Canada West playoff race. Manitoba is undefeated at home, where all seven wins have occurred.
 
“Our training since coming back on December 27 has been really good and it showed today,” said Bisons head coach Ken Bentley. “It is always tough after the break being away from the ball and the weight room. I am really proud of the team. They put in the work, had really good training and I thought that showed today.”
 
The hosts jumped out to a 15-10 lead in the game’s opening set, thanks in large to second-year Brenna Bedosky who registered three kills for the Bisons along the way. Manitoba stayed ahead for the remainder of the first, eventually claiming the set by a final score of 25-17. 
 
The two sides battled throughout the second set as the Griffins fought to avoid going down two sets to none in the game. The Bisons led for the majority of the second but the visitors kept themselves in striking distance. However, the Bisons did eventually extended their lead to five at 20-15 later in the set before a kill from Eve Catojo secured the set for Manitoba, 25-21. 
 
Manitoba continued to display their strong offensive game as they looked to sweep the Griffins in three-straight sets, jumping out to a big 12-3 lead to start the third. After MacEwan scored four straight points, kills from Andi Almonte, Catojo and Bedosky helped restore the Bisons’ sizable lead to 15-9. Later in the set and up 24-14, Catojo put down her eighth kill of the game to secure the match for Manitoba. 
 
Bentley added: “The whole group was pretty consistent in what we were doing offensively and defensively. I thought MacEwan certainly came in here prepared with a good game plan against us. We will have to get ready to play a tough match tomorrow.”
 
The Bisons will welcome the Griffins back to the court of the Investors Group Athletic Centre tomorrow evening to for their second and final match of the weekend.