WINNIPEG – The Bobcats men's volleyball team picked up a much needed win Friday night against the University of Manitoba Bisons.
Looking to snap winless skid, the Bobcats did just that by completing a straight-set sweep of Manitoba 25-17, 25-23, 25-21 at the Investors Group Athletic Center.
Fourth-year Ben Carleton led the Bisons with 14 kills on 34 attempts for a hitting percentage of .265 in the loss. Third-year Matthew Campbell and second-year Eric Ogaranko each chipped in five kills for Manitoba while first-year Sammy Ludwig got the start at setter and registered 22 assists.
Led by 2022 Canada West Rookie of the Year Philipp Lauter who posted five kills with a hitting percentage of .556 in the first, the visiting Bobcats took the opening set in convincing fashion 25-17. Manitoba's Carleton led the attack for Manitoba, registering 13 total attempts in the first.
The second set proved to be much closer as the two sides battled to an early 8-8 draw. Manitoba followed up by going on a 10-6 run to pull ahead as they tried to level the match at one set apiece. The hosts kept their lead until Brandon pulled even at 21-21 after a Carleton attempt clipped the net and went out of bounds. The Bisons found themselves downs 24-22 before a huge kill from Carleton narrowed the gap but one point later the visitors secured the set, 25-23.
To begin the third and for a second-straight set, the Bobcats and Bisons fought to an early 8-8 tie. Following a similar script to the second, it was the Bobcats this time who put together a 10-6 run taking an 18-14 lead. Later on with the Bisons down 23-18, Jordan Heppner served up an ace as the home side was desperate for a comeback. Carleton followed up the ace with his twelfth kill of the game to cut the lead down further. However a few points later with the match on the line for Brandon, a Manitoba block ended up out of bounds securing the win for the Bobcats, 25-21.
Both teams will be back at Investors Group Athletic Centre tomorrow at 6:45 p.m. for the final game of the weekend.