BRANDON – The Brandon Bobcats had match-point early but couldn't finish, but it didn't matter as the Bobcats hung on and beat the Winnipeg Wesmen in five sets 3-2 (26-24, 25-20, 27-25, 16-25, 15-13) to force game three in the best-of-three Canada West Quarter Final.
Brandon could have closed it out in straight sets but Winnipeg refused to go away without a fight, as the provincial rivals traded blows all night in a great playoff contest.
In the first set, the two teams exchanged blows before Winnipeg took a 16-14 lead at the technical. After trailing 19-15, the Bobcats battled back to get within two points at 21-19, but Winnipeg answered right back pushing their lead to 24-20. Brandon fought off four set point serves, battling back to take the set 26-24.
The Bobcats picked up the second set where they left off in the first, jumping to an early lead and not looking back, taking second 25-20.
In the third the two teams traded blows again, setting up match point for BU at 24-23. Winnipeg tied it before a big block by Brenden Black earned the final point at 27-25, forcing the fourth set.
The fourth set was all Winnipeg, as the Bobcats serve game struggled and Winnipeg blocked well against the attack.
The last frame saw both teams go point for point, until the Bobcats gained a two point lead and served match point at 14-12. The Wesmen battled back to serve against match-point, but it wasn't enough as Brandon closed out the match with a huge block by Frank Jones and Roy Ching, giving the Bobcats a 15-13 set victory and the match.
Sebastien Steigmeier , who earlier in the day was named a conference all-star, was deadly for the Bobcats notching 29 kills on just 45 swings, earning a .511 attack percentage for the evening. In doing so he broke his BU own school record for kills in a playoff match set exactly one year ago today.
Steigmeier also added eight digs, two blocks, and a service ace, while Sam Tuivai chipped in 18 kills, five digs, three blocks, and two service aces.
David Stasica had a match-high 67 assists, along with seven digs and two solo blocks. Stasica's 67 assists are just one shy of tying the Canada West conference record for most in a playoff match, held by Winnipeg's Dan Lother who took in Friday's match from Winnipeg's bench where he serves as an assistant coach.
Schouten led the Wesmen with 23 kills, nine digs, and five blocks. Tom Douglas-Powell had 20 kills, three services aces, and two blocks.
Head coach Grant Wilson was pleased with how his team battled back after last night's tough loss.
"I think guys were more focused and prepared to make the sacrifice to do what needed to be done. Hopefully we have that same mindset tomorrow. Our guys gave it everything they had. The Wesmen played awesome again and fortunately we found a way to pull it out in the end. It was a typical Canada West night. You never know because it's anybody's game until it's over," says Wilson.
The match kept the Bobcats alive in the post-season. The win was an emotional one after last night's tough loss.
"It was an absolute grind from start to finish. It was tough, but I think we used the emotions to our advantage tonight. Last night we got frustrated with ourselves and tonight we stuck together and stayed focused and we're going to need that kind of resiliency to have success tomorrow," added Wilson.
Wilson expects that the rematch will be another battle for his team.
"I expect it to be pretty much the same. They're a great team and they're playing really well right now. We'll have to find a way to match it," noted Wilson.
The final game will be played Saturday night at 7pm in Brandon at the Healthy Living Centre. The winner will move on to Canada West Final Four in Edmonton.
(Photo courtesy Mackenzie Gerry)