Box Score WINNIPEG — For the second night in a row, a Manitoba Bisons player had a career night, helping the Herd to a 3-0 win over Regina and and a series sweep. This time it was first-year standout Raya Surinx who did the damage, tallying a personal best of 17 kills in the victory.
The 6’0″ left side added 11 digs, the second most of her career for a Manitoba team that tallied 53 digs overall. The win improves Manitoba’s record to 6-4, with all six wins coming on home court. Regina is still looking for their first win of the season.
“I think that’s one of the things our team does best, is our defence,” Surinx said. “It helps give us a lot of opportunities attacking. We’re all just throwing down back there, making sure we keep the ball up so we can get attacks.”
Surinx, Manitoba’s attacking and points leader on the season, made her presence felt early and often in the opening set. She recorded six kills, three digs and an assisted block as Manitoba led by as much as 11 at 17-6.
The Cougars stayed in the game on the strength of their block. They had five team blocks in the first, led by three assisted blocks and a solo from Kaylyn Brown, who trimmed Manitoba’s lead to three.
Manitoba’s attack was too much however, as five different players recorded a kill, while Surinx and middle Brenna Bedosky ended the opener with an assisted block.
The second set needed extra points, as the two teams traded the lead four times down the stretch.
Regina got six kills from the right by Nya Chiek, and showed impressed physicality from the back row and on the block, where they had nine team blocks entering the third.
The Cougars held a 23-21 lead, but couldn’t close things out, as Manitoba’s defence and versatility was too much. Surinx added seven more kills, and kept multiple rallies alive with her play from the back row, as did Ella Gray and libero Julia Arnold.
The trio combined for 25 digs after two, including a massive dig from Surinx that led to a Gray kill to tie the game at 24. Arnold closed out the second with a textbook dig that led to a cross-court kill from Surinx and a 2-0 lead for the hosts.
A third service ace for Claire Sheppard and continued physicality from Chiek kept the third set close, however the Bisons went on a run to sustain momentum and a three-set sweep.
Five straight points for Manitoba with the score 14-13 opened the game wide open, and they held on the rest of the way. A solo block and kill from middle Eve Catojo, combined with eight more digs from Arnold, and four kills from Surinx helped pave the way, while setter Katreena Bentley had 35 assists and was named player of the match.
Manitoba, who’s in the middle of the playoff pack, will be on the road to end the first half against Mount Royal, while the Cougars will host UBC.
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