Thomas Judek, University of Regina Sports Information

REGINA - The University of Manitoba Bisons defeated the Regina Cougars men's volleyball team to move into a tie for eighth place Saturday evening at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health, and Sport.

The Bisons (9-13) drew even with Saskatchewan in the standings following the victory with one weekend to go in the Canada West regular season. Scott Vercaigne was the biggest difference maker for Manitoba in this one, with 25 kills to lead the match. 

The first set was close early with the score being tied 10 times and three lead changes before Manitoba pulled ahead to take it 25-22. The Bisons controlled the second set winning 25-17 while hitting .333 as a team. The Cougars came back to win the third set 26-24 after being down 21-15 late, but the Bisons took the fourth set 25-20 with Vercaigne, fittingly, getting the final kill for the win.

Vercaigne also hit .400 and had a match-high nine digs to lead the way for the Bisons. Adam DeJonckheere had 14 kills and six digs while also recording a match-high four services aces. Fourth-year middle Dustin Spiring added 11 kills on only 16 attempts for a match-high .500 hitting percentage. Setter Jack Mandryk controlled the offence effectively all night with 52 assists to lead the match while also contributing nine digs. Brendan Warren had six blocks to lead the team which had 11 total blocks.

The Cougars had three hitters reach double-digit kills with Matthew Aubrey, Brennan Goski, and Dalton Wolfe getting 13, 12, and 11 kills, respectively. Michael Corrigan came off the bench to set and led the team with 26 assists. Middle Cody Caldwell was solid at the net with a team-high six blocks and six kills.

The Cougars are off next week which means their season is over, finishing at 2-22. The Bisons go back home next weekend for two crucial matches against UBC Okanagan in the final week of the regular season.