By: Alyssa Etsell, University of Manitoba Bisons Sports Information

WINNIPEG - No. 8 Trinity Western Spartans edged out the Manitoba Bisons in four sets (19-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-21) in women's volleyball on Jan. 13, 2018 at Investors Group Athletic Centre. The game led to a weekend split between the two teams.

With the road win, Trinity Western improves their record to 12-4 and Manitoba drops to 6-10.

Despite an eleven-point streak late in the fourth set from the Bisons, the Spartans were able to take it and ultimately the game.

"We just started playing too late in the fourth set. We made some poor hitting errors early on and had we managed the first part of that set better, we would have had a better chance," said Bisons head coach, Ken Bentley.

For the match, Hilary Howe led the Spartans kills with 17, while Josie and Kearley Abbott tied for the Bisons with 11 kills each.

Quick thinking and smart plays kept rallies going throughout the fourth set, making for an entertaining game. The Spartans were ultimately the team most able to capitalize on winning them, leading early at 10-4. 

An eleven-point streak late in the set had the Herd fighting to stay, edging them to within two points of TWU (21-24). A net violation on the Herd led the Spartans to match point, winning the set 25-21.

Despite a slight lead early in the third set by the visitors, the Bisons clawed back making it a tie match at 6-6. However, the set didn't stay close for long as Trinity Western led 16-12 midway through. For set point, a short serve by Bison Kearley Abbott gave the visiting team the set win (25-17).

Howe led in the third with 12 kills, while Kearley Abbott led for the Bisons with 10.

Earlier in the game, several strong plays in terms of digs and blocks characterized the second set. Back-and-forth for the first half, the Spartans managed to pull ahead by midway point and later on, an out-of-bound play by the Bisons brought TWU to one point to set. Howe got a kill off a block to take the second set 25-19.

Manitoba led in points for much of the first set, eventually taking it 25-19 after an error by the Spartans on a Kearley Abbott dump led to set point. 

In upcoming action, Manitoba will face Winnipeg on Jan. 18, 2018 at 6 p.m. CST. Trinity Western will play next at home against Regina on Jan. 19, 2018 at 6 p.m. PST. Watch the matches live online at CanadaWest.tv.

Game leaders:
Kills:
Manitoba – Josie Abbott & Kearley Abbott, 11
TWU – Hilary Howe, 17

Digs:
Manitoba – Cassie Bujan, 19
TWU – Rachel Flink, 25

Blocks:
Manitoba – Jocelyn Koswin, 4
TWU – Avery Heppell, 6