Bisons Sports, Kelly O'Donnell

WINNIPEG – The Bisons lost 3-1 to the Saskatchewan Huskies (19-25, 25-17, 17-25, 19-25) in a battle of the blocks in women's volleyball at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Saturday, Dec. 2. 

The match brings the Bisons record to 5-7 and the Huskies improve to 6-6.

Bisons setter Brittany Habing and middle Allison Alcock set up a huge block throughout the match, but the Bisons couldn't come together on serve receive.

"Obviously I'm disappointed we lost the match, but we had a better fight today," said Bisons head coach Ken Bentley. "Saskatchewan gets full marks, they served tough."

The Huskies came in strong, gaining a nine-point lead (19-10) in the first set. Huskies right-side Taylor Annala posted five kills helping Saskatchewan win 25-19. 

The Bisons held the lead through the second set. The Herd's setter Brittany Habing placed tips in all of the Huskies' holes. Habing and Alcock put up a wall, gaining two consecutive points with their blocks in the final five points of the set. The Bisons had 14 block attacks in the set, winning 25-17 after a right-side kill down the line by Alcock.

Manitoba gained an 8-2 lead in the third, but Huskies tied it up, and pulled ahead mid-set by five points (21-16). Huskies middle Georgia Hurry set up a difficult block for the Bisons to hit past, and power player Regan Wiebe posted two kills in the final points, finishing the set for Saskatchewan 25-17.

Saskatchewan pulled ahead halfway through the fourth and held the lead, despite Alcock and Habing setting up a great block at the net. Huskies won the set 25-19, with Annala leading in kills for her team (13).

Following the holidays, the women's team will head to Vancouver to play the UBC Thunderbirds on Jan. 5 at 8 p.m CT while Saskatchewan will host Regina on the same weekend. All matches can be seen live on CanadaWest.TV website. 

Game leaders:
Kills:
Manitoba – Allison Alcock 10
Huskies – Taylor Annala 13

Digs:
Manitoba – Cassie Bujan 13
Huskies – Shae Beaulieu 16

Blocks:
Manitoba – Emily Erickson 7
Huskies – Georgia Hurry 8