Tyler Crayston, Brandon University Athletics

BRANDON – The Bobcats made quick work of the Winnipeg Wesmen on Friday night in the opening match of their best-of-three Canada West quarter-final series.

The set scores were 25-21, 25-20 and 25-23.

Brandon kicked any early nerves out the window as they led Winnipeg 13-10 in the opening set. BU had a solid attacking percentage of .350 in the process. Brandon continued to crank up the intensity and went error free en route to going up 16-13 at the technical timeout. The first set was a thing of beauty for the Bobcats as they boasted an error-free .452 hitting percentage.

The Wesmen quickly countered with a 5-0 run in the second set to go up 7-4. BU responded with a 9-3 run to lead 16-13 at the technical timeout. The Bobcats maintained a comfortable cushion and scored a second-set win.

In the third, the Bobcats kept momentum on their side with a 5-1 start. BU had a six-point spread at 16-10, but Winnipeg was not going away quietly. A 7-1 run by the Wesmen tied it 17-17. It was deadlocked 22-22, before Brandon surged ahead for good after a clutch performance.

Elliott Viles had 11 kills for the Bobcats, while Mason Metcalf collected nine kills and four team blocks for BU. Reece Dixon delivered a double-double with 29 assists and 10 digs.

Meanwhile, Adrian Dyck had a match-high 12 kills in a losing cause for the Wesmen.

Brandon looks to clinch the series at the Healthy Living Centre on Saturday night. If it goes the distance, a third and deciding game would be played on Sunday afternoon.

(Photo courtesy: Milana Paddock)