Written By: David Koroma 

Winnipeg, MB – The Bison men's volleyball team hosted the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack for the second game of their double-header home weekend series at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Saturday, Nov. 22. While the match started off close, the Bisons steadily built momentum as they went on to win the match in three straight sets (25-23, 25-19, 25-22).
 
The win brings the #10 Bisons to 7-7 for the season, while the Wolfpack now sits at 5-9.
 
When describing the difference between Saturday's game and Friday's, the Bisons' head coach, Garth Pischke, said his team played with more emotion.
 
"They need to get themselves into the game and put something on the line and support their teammates. That's the whole difference," said Coach Pischke.
 
Manitoba Bisons' right side hitter, Devren Dear, finished off the first set with an impressive kill leading to a 25-23 win for the home team. He led the first set with six kills while the Wolfpack's right side hitter, Brad Gunter, had five.
 
The Wolfpack and Bisons were consistently back and forth for most of the second set until a Thompson Rivers service error made it 20-18 for the home team. Manitoba followed that with a service ace by Jordan Dragojevic and seized the momentum to take the second set 25-19.
 
A Bisons service error made it 16-16 following the technical time-out in the third set. That changed after a kill by Dear and a service ace by the Bisons' setter Luke Herr. The home team took the lead and wouldn't let go. They finished the set with a kill by left side hitter, Kevin Falconer, to win 25-22 and take the match in three straight sets.
 
Manitoba captain, Ken Rooney, was a force at the net, scoring ten kills and seven blocks for the home team. He tied Dear for the Bisons' leading points with 15.5, while the Wolfpack's Gunter led the game with 20 overall points, including 17 kills.
 
"Kenny Rooney was outstanding and just unstoppable in the middle," said Coach Pischke.
 
It was a good day for Bisons volleyball as both the men's and women's teams were able to split their double-headers with decisive 3-0 victories over the visiting Thompson Rivers Wolfpack.
 
The Bisons finish 2014 with a bye-week, during which Coach Pischke said he will have his team play a scrimmage against Manitoba Bisons alumni. The Wolfpack will face the Alberta Golden Bears next weekend at Thompson Rivers University.
 
This was the last game of 2014 for Manitoba, while Thompson Rivers will face off against the University of Alberta Golden Bears at Thompson Rivers University next weekend.