By Danielle Doiron 

The University of Manitoba Bison women's volleyball team lost in straight sets Friday, January 8 night, as the #3 UBC Okanagan Heat won 25-11, 25-14 and 25-12 at Investors Group Athletic Centre.
 
With the win, the Heat extends their win streak to seven games and now sits at an almost-perfect 12-1 record. The Bisons are now 2-11 after suffering their second straight loss.
 
UBC Okanagan's Brianna Beamish led both sides with seven kills, and Kalena Schulz had five for Manitoba.
 
"There were two big issues here," Bison head coach Ken Bentley said after the game. "We haven't played since Nov. 28, and that's a long break, and it's challenging to come back. The second thing is that [UBC Okanagan is] a good team.
 
"You can do everything to prepare, but it all changes when you get back into a game," he said.
 
The Bisons faltered early in the first and quickly surrendered 10 points, almost all on errors. Manitoba gave away seven consecutive rallies on three straight bad sets followed by three attack errors and a kill from UBC Okanagan's Megan Festival. The Bison defence struggled to cover the court for the rest of the set, and the Heat claimed the first 25-11.
 
UBC Okanagan dominated the second set and quickly took a 6-1 lead. Kills from Bison rookie Angelica Kilberg and second-year Tori Studler drew big cheers from the crowd, but the home side couldn't gain momentum off either play. The Heat's powerful offense left the Bisons struggling to return attacks. Beamish put up five kills in the set alone, and the Heat took the second 25-14.
 
The start of the third saw more closely matched rallies than the previous sets, but the home team couldn't make it last. The Heat consistently found the holes on the court, once again making the Bison defence scramble and chase after balls. The Bisons' court coverage improved as the set continued, but they couldn't force a fourth. UBC Okanagan won the third set 25-12 and the game 3-0.
 
"We were good at the net, but our passing was poor," Bentley noted. "[UBC Okanagan is] where they are for a reason, and right now, our side is the biggest concern."
 
The teams will face off again Saturday, Jan. 9 at 4:30 p.m. CT at Investors Group Athletic Centre.