WINNIPEG — The Manitoba Bisons booked the Canada West’s final berth into the national championship on Friday.
The Bisons fought off a comeback from the Winnipeg Wesmen and earned a 3-2 (25-21, 27-25, 20-25, 21-25, 15-13) victory in the conference bronze-medal match at the Duckworth Centre, securing the conference’s third spot in the national tournament in Vancouver next weekend.
Raya Surinx had 26 kills and 19 digs to lead the Bisons, who recorded 110 digs for the match.
Ella Gray added 13 kills, and Andi Almonte finished with 11 and 26 digs. Julia Arnold had a match-high 35 digs.
Fifth-year senior Ashleigh Laube topped the Wesmen with 20 kills and 25 digs.
The Wesmen hit .163 for the match while the Bisons recorded 63 kills for a .140 mark.
Emma Parker, also playing her final match after five years with the Wesmen, had 14 kills and 17 digs. Winnipeg recorded 103 digs on the night.
Haille Bujan added 12 kills on 32 swings and hit .313 for the night.