By: Alyssa Etsell, Bisons Sport Information

WINNIPEG—The University of Manitoba Bisons pushed their win streak to three straight with a home win over Mount Royal University Cougars, 3-1 (25-13, 25-20, 20-25, 25-19) in women's volleyball on Friday (Feb. 2) at Investors Group Athletic Centre.

Despite the Cougars pushing the game to four sets, the Bisons were able to maintain the momentum from their first half to pull off the win.

"The only disappointing part was the third set. We were up and we just got a little too comfortable," said Bison head coach, Ken Bentley. "I was happy we stole the fourth set and kept our poise and stayed in the game."

The home win moves Manitoba to a record of 9-10 and MRU moves to 8-11 in a battle for the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference.

A remarkable block by Brittany Habing moved the fourth set to match point and an out-of-bounds play from MRU gave the host team the game-winning point.

Despite an early lead in the fourth set, MRU was no match for the wall that Emily Erickson and Brittany Habing formed to block three consecutive plays, tying the fourth set early at 6-6. Manitoba kept it competitive and lead throughout the fourth.

In the third, the Bisons passed the Cougars early, running up the score 12-6. At halfway, Mount Royal battled back to come within three points of the Herd. Intense rallies pulled the away team ahead of Manitoba for the first time in the match as they fought to push the game to four sets. A spike by Anna Carlson clinched the set point for MRU, 20-25.

Earlier in the game, the host team played with strategy and strength. In the second, a communication error from MRU left the Herd to clinch the set win, 25-20. A block from Kearley Abbott secured the first set win for the Bisons, 25-13.

The Bisons hit 0.115 for the match while MRU hit 0.040.

Both teams will face each other again tomorrow (Sat., Feb. 3) at 6:45 p.m. CT. Watch the match live online at CanadaWest.tv. 

Game leaders:
Kills:
Manitoba – Josie Abbott, 10
Mount Royal – Alex Donaghy, 11

Digs:
Manitoba – Cassie Bujan, 23
Mount Royal – Nataliia Klimenova, 32

Blocks:
Manitoba – Emily Erickson, 10
Mount Royal – Anna Carlson, Allisa Dandenault and Nicky Zalasky, 4