WINNIPEG, MB - With the #1-ranked team in the country in their gym, the #9-ranked Manitoba Bison men's volleyball team were looking to get an upset over the Alberta Golden Bears on Friday, January 16 at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.

This one went the distance and in the end, it was Alberta breaking through and winning in five sets (21-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-17, 15-12)

Manitoba was led by Devren Dear, who had 18 kills in the losing effort. Adam DeJonckheere added ten kills and a service errors. Alberta got big nights from Ryley Barnes, who led all players with 19 kills, and Ryan Nickifor, who had 17 kills.

Though Manitoba was ever so close to handing Alberta just their second loss of the season, they fall to 9-8. Alberta improves to 16-1 and builds their lead in the Canada West men's volleyball standings.

Early on, it was 6'5" hitter Alex McMullin giving the Bisons fits on the outside, as Alberta powered through the block to get some separation in the first set. The Bisons got stronger hands as the set went on, though, as Jordan Dragojevic and Ken Rooney got key blocks. A pair of Kevin Falconer aces got the separation and earned the 25-21 set win.

The Golden Bears then pounced in the second. Trailing by four in the middle of the set, they took six of seven points with a bunch of quick-hitters to take the lead back. With Nickifor's six kills in the set, they were able to rise and win 25-21.

Both teams shared responses in the third and fourth, as Alberta started to dig into their bench for some serve specialists and Manitoba opened the floor up with some brilliant passing. Splitting the sets, the match went the distance.

In the fifth, though, the experience of Canada's top team started to shine through, as they grabbed the first four points of the set with incredible precision. With a balanced attack from their power hitters and a huge block by Taylor Arnett at 13-11 Alberta, they would fight off a late Manitoba comeback to win 15-12.

The Bison men's volleyball team will play the second of their back-to-back with Alberta on Saturday, January 17 at 7 p.m. CST.

Written by: John Gaudes