By: Kelly O'Donnell, Bisons Sports
WINNIPEG – The Manitoba Bisons men's volleyball team won 3-1 (25-23, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22) in a tight match against the Saskatchewan Huskies at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Friday, Dec. 1.
This brings the Bisons record to 6-5 and now on a three game winning streak, and the Huskies drop to 4-7.
Bisons powers Scott Vercaigne and Adam DeJonckheere posted 10 kills each, and right-side Kevin Negus with eight. Huskies power Dylan Mortensen came out with 16 kills, and Colin Fraser with 15.
"I thought Dylan, our setter, did really well. He's only started three matches this year," said Bisons head coach Garth Pischke. "Our other guy sprained his ankle. I'm really happy. (Dylan) served really well, he blocked really well and he set really well too."
A point-for-point first set ended when Bisons middle Dustin Spiring and setter Dylan Sutherland closed the block to win it 25-23 for Manitoba.
The Herd took the second set as well, pulling ahead in the final points to win 25-20 after a service error by Saskatchewan.
Huskies gained a slight lead in the third set (19-16) but Bisons power Scott Vercaigne, power Adam DeJonckheere and middle Brendan Warren challenged the lead with solid attacks.
In the final points of the third set, Huskies power Dylan Mortensen gained three consecutive points for his team to win 25-21 for Saskatchewan. Mortensen tipped the ball just over the Bisons' block, blocked a huge hit, and pounded a right-side hit down the line. He posted five kills in the set.
Mortensen continued to be a force for the Huskies in the fourth set, but Spiring stepped up to block. The Bisons gained a mid-set lead they managed to hold to the end, winning the fourth and final set 25-21 after a huge cross-court attack from Bisons power Adam DeJonckheere. The players ran on to the court following the big hit and win.
"I feel great (going into the holidays). With another win tomorrow, that would be an outstanding first half for this young team," said Pischke.
The men teams will face off again tomorrow night (Dec. 2) at the Investors Group Athletic Centre at 5 p.m. CT. After the holidays, the men's team will head to Vancouver to play the UBC Thunderbirds on Jan. 5 at 9:30 p.m CT while Saskatchewan host Regina on the same weekend after the holiday break. All matches can be seen live on CanadaWest.TV.
Game leaders:
Kills:
Manitoba – Scott Vercaigne 10, Adam DeJonckheere 10
Huskies – Dylan Mortensen 16
Digs:
Manitoba – Dylan Sutherland 6, Dustin Spiring 6
Huskies – CJ Gavlas, 11
Blocks:
Manitoba – Brendan Warren 9
Huskies – Daulton Sinoski 3