BRANDON - The Brandon Bobcats earned a weekend sweep over the Winnipeg Wesmen Friday night, beating the Wesmen in straight sets 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-23).

After a five-set marathon in Winnipeg on Wednesday, the 'Cats started the first set neck and neck with the Wesmen. Brandon led into the technical time out 16-11 and managed to hold on to their lead to close out the set 25-18, thanks to two consecutive blocks by Sebastien Steigmeier and Frank Jones.

The Wesmen were able to keep the second set closer, but Sam Tuivai served four in a row to give the Bobcats a 13-9 lead that they were able to maintain throughout the rest of the set

Brandon started the third set up 12-7, but the Wesmen wouldn't go down without a fight, clawing back late in the game at 23-22. The Bobcats clinched the win with a kill by Roy Ching to close out the set and the match 25-23.

Roy Ching paced the Bobcat attack with 10 kills, two digs, and one block. Sam Tuivai added eight kills, six digs, and two blocks.
David Stasica notched 24 assists for the Bobcats.

Tom Douglas-Powell had a match-high 16 kills for the Wesmen. He also added five digs and two blocks. David Bommersbach notched five kills and one block.
Bobcat head coach Grant Wilson was pleased with how his team challenged the Wesmen.

"I thought we were better tonight than we were Wednesday. We were much more consistent tonight and I thought that we were pretty engaged in the game right from the first few points. We were able to stabilize our passing game better tonight and put them under pressure with our serve, which definitely helped," says Wilson.

The Bobcats forced 10 reception errors on the Wesmen, which Wilson says was part of his team's strategy for the evening.

"I like how we served tonight. Ten aces in a three-set match is a pretty big feat. We put them under pressure early and that was the game plan. I'm really pleased with how it worked out," added Wilson.

The win brings the Bobcats record to 16-4, clinching a playoff spot. The Wesmen fall to 12-8.

Up next, the Bobcats will face the University of Alberta Golden Bears at home, while the Wesmen will play a home-and-home series against the University of Manitoba.