Written by: Alyssa Etsell, Bisons Sport Information

WINNIPEG—The University of Manitoba Bisons pushed their win streak to three with a three set (25-18, 25-18, 25-15) win against the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat Friday (Fri., Feb. 16) in men's volleyball at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. 

With the win, Manitoba moves to a record of 10-13. UBC Okanagan drops to 5-18.

The three set win increases the Bisons' odds of making league playoffs.

"It feels great, it's a real important win for us," said Bisons head coach, Garth Pischke.  "To win it three straight really increases our chances of making the playoffs, now we're in a fight with Saskatchewan where every set counts."

In the third, the Bisons led by almost double the visiting team's score for most of the set. The Heat tried to come back with a series of notable kills but weren't successful in pushing the game to a fourth set.

Fifth year Scott Vercaigne made the final kill to secure a 25-15 set for the Bisons.

The Herd's blocking really helped to lock in the win in just three sets.

"I thought we played really well. Our blocking was exceptional tonight and that puts a lot of pressure on the other team," said Pischke.

In the match, Adam DeJonckheere had the most kills on the home team with 14, while Lars Bornemann got 10 kills for UBC Okanagan.

After a series of consecutive strong blocks and kills in the second set, Manitoba pulled ahead 17-11. Adam Dejonckheere sent a dunk straight into the ground to secure the set 25-18 for the Herd.

The first set was close early on, but the home team pushed ahead later on and won the set, 25-18.

The Heat hit 0.035 for the match and the Bisons hit a 0.329 match.

Depending on the results of the UBC vs Saskatchewan game tonight, the Bisons could slide into eighth place and qualify for the playoffs.

Both teams will play each other again tomorrow (Feb. 17) at 5 p.m. CST. This will be both teams' last regular season game. Watch the match live online at CanadaWest.tv.

Game Leaders:
Kills:
Manitoba – Adam Dejonckheere, 14
UBC Okanagan – Lars Bornemann, 10

Digs:
Manitoba – Scott Vercaigne, 7
UBC Okanagan – Eli Risso, 7

Blocks:
Manitoba – Brendan Warren, 6
UBC Okanagan – Brodie Kern, Joshua Harvey, Caleb Funk and Adam Kern, 1