WINNIPEG — The Manitoba Bisons men's volleyball team matched up with the Saskatchewan Huskies Friday night at the Investors Group Athletic Centre for the first of two matches this weekend.
The teams entered play tied for second in the Canada West's East division with matching 5-5 records and engaged in a duel that proved how tightly matched they are.
The first set left little room for error as both teams got their offences installed early. The teams exchanged points, with neither side taking control. Spencer Grahame's only kill of the set was good for the Bisons 25th point and gave them a 25-23 win.
Saskatchewan bounced back in the second set to take it 25-19 on the strength of five kills from Dylan Mortensen. The win tied the match 1-1 heading into the third set.
Manitoba used three consecutive service aces from Ben Carleton to spark a dominant 25-18 third set victory. Jack Mandryk collected ten assists in the winning frame as well.
The Bisons were unable to put the game to bed in the fourth set, with the Huskies taking a close frame 25-22 to force a fifth set to decide the game's winner.
In that final set, it was the Huskies who dominated the race to 15, by eight points to complete their comeback.
The win gives Saskatchewan a slight one-game advantage in the season series and gives them a chance to clinch the series with one game remaining.
Huskies head coach Sean McKay said his team will look to keep the same mentality ahead of tomorrow's rematch.
"We're here to perform and get ready for playoffs," he said. "In this conference, it's a fun matchup every night."
Saskatchewan's Levi Olson led all players with 20 kills in the game and Carleton countered with 13 to lead the Bisons.
Manitoba will look to salvage the weekend series when the teams meet again Saturday night at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.
Bisons head coach Arnd Ludwig said his team will need to clean up their small mistakes if they want to win tomorrow's game.
"We have to block a little better, make a few small adjustments and play with more urgency."
