Written by: Alyssa Etsell, Bisons Sport Information

WINNIPEG — The University of Manitoba Bisons drop hard-fought 3-1(25-17, 25-20, 11-25, 25-18) game against the no. 1 University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat on Friday, Feb. 16 night in women's volleyball at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.

With the win, UBC Okanagan drives their win streak to 11 games straight and their record moves to 19-4. With the loss, Manitoba falls to 11-12.

Despite pushing the game to four sets, a great third set for the Bisons couldn't get them the win.

"I mean, it was kind of a bonus set," said Bisons head coach, Ken Bentley. "You know, we got away early and their serve receive struggled a bit." 

The Bisons led the third set early on and the Heat couldn't keep up to a 10-point streak from the home team. Midway through, Manitoba led the visitors by double. The streak drove the score to 23-8 for the home team and the Herd secured set point, winning the third set 25-11.

The Heat surged past the Bisons late in the fourth set after back-and-forth scoring early on. A net error by the Herd gave the visitors set point at 25-18.

In the second set, UBC Okanagan dominated, driving up the score in the latter half and never looking back. Hard-fought rallies led much of the play and the Heat made sure they won and secured those points. Late in the second, the home team shortened UBC Okanagan's lead, but couldn't get the points in time. A Siobhan Fitzpatrick kill on a Bisons out of bounds block gave the second set to the visitors, 25-20. 

Michelle Jakszuk had an impressive 13 kills over the first two sets, with Siobhan Fitzpatrick getting 10. 

The visitors surged ahead of the Bisons late in the first and an attacking error by the home team secured set point for the Heat.

"I know the sincerity of our effort was there, we just need to play better volleyball and that's what it came down to," said Bentley.

The Heat hit 0.220 for the match, while the Bisons hit 0.142.

Both teams will play each other again tomorrow at 6:45 p.m. CST. This will be both teams' last regular season game. Watch the match live online at CanadaWest.tv.

Game Leaders:

Kills:

Manitoba – Kearley Abbott, 10

UBC Okanagan – Michelle Jakszuk, 20

Digs:

Manitoba – Cassie Bujan, 20

UBC Okanagan – Michelle Jakszuk, 16

Blocks:

Manitoba – Jocelyn Koswin, 5

UBC Okanagan – Erin Drew, 4