Host Bisons take down Huskies in three set battle at U SPORTS Nationals

WINNIPEG, MB – The No. 6 seed Saint Mary's Huskies gave the No. 3 seed, and host Manitoba Bisons all they could handle, but like they've done all season, the Herd flexed their depth, coming out on top 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-17) in the U SPORTS women's volleyball national quarterfinals on Friday afternoon at Investors Group Athletic Centre in Winnipeg.

With the win, Manitoba advances to Saturday's national semifinal against UBC at 6 p.m. CDT (8 p.m. ADT), while Saint Mary's will play against the #7 seed Saskatchewan Huskies in the consolation semifinal at 2 p.m. CDT (4 p.m. ADT).

Four Bisons finished with at least nine kills, led by Raya Surinx's 11. Light Uchechukwu and Andi Almonte added ten each, with Almonte earning Player of the Game honours after adding 11 digs, three solo blocks and an assisted block.

Saint Mary's also got a balanced showing, with outside hitters Emilia Mikanovich and Breanna Golding combining for 22 kills.

The first set offered a taste of what was to come. Both team's hit extremely efficiently, at .368 for Manitoba and .282 for SMU. Both team's setters were on the money, with Manitoba's Katreena Bentley (35 assists in the game) and the Huskies Grace Blaskovits (26 assists in the game) combining for 28 assists entering the second.

Four different Huskies had a kill in their first four points, and SMU carried a lead until the 13th point, where Uchechukwu blased a cross court smash to give the hosts a 7-6 lead.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Sydney Fader opens the scoring with a kill! Watch live: https://t.co/2lTls3z1QE pic.twitter.com/qBvwBubsCg

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) March 14, 2025

It was all hands on deck from there. Uchechukwu, Brenna Bedosky (nine kills, game-high .643 hitting percentage) and Almonte put down kills to give Manitoba a 19-16 lead, but SMU stayed in the fight.

Alena Piatukhova's fifth kill narrowed Manitoba's lead to 23-21, but Almonte had the response, pushing the ball to the back line from a front row position, and the Herd won the set two points later on an error.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Huskies cut it to 21-20 in the first set! Unfortunately the Bisons win the first set 25-22. pic.twitter.com/ARxSJqLHqX

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) March 15, 2025

The story of set two was back line play. Surinx went on multiple serving runs, including two aces, forcing two SMU timeouts. The first gave Manitoba a 12-7 lead following a five point run, and the second pushed the Herd ahead 20-16 on another multiple point run.

Bedosky also smashed down four kills throughout the match off of aggressive Surinx serves that went right to her in transition, as the Bisons gained sustained momentum.

The Huskies hit just .047 in set two, but had strong block defence. A Mikanovich and Anna Liniewski assisted block narrowed Manitoba's lead to 21-17, but Bedosky and Almonte followed up with an assisted block of their own, and Uchechukwu ended the set shortly after on a roll shot.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

A big block from Anna Liniewski and Emilia Mikanovich gives the Huskies the point, but the Bisons take the second set, 25-18. pic.twitter.com/BCT4scS6ss

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) March 15, 2025

The Huskies took an 8-7 lead in set three following a Piatukhova kill, while Breanna Golding added an ace right after, but once again Surinx had the response from the line.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Breanna Golding with the kill as the Huskies cut the third set to 8-7, but unfortunately lose to the host Bisons in three sets.

Huskies will next take on Saskatchewan in a consolation semifinal on Saturday at 4 p.m. ADT. pic.twitter.com/P26gMVnQrO

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) March 15, 2025

Her third ace of the night made it 14-10 Bisons, part of a 4-0 run that helped Manitoba close out the game. Almonte got way up for a cross court smash a few points later, looking fresh as ever, as the Bisons ended the game in three.

Huskies first team All-Canadian left side Emilia Mikanovich was named Nike Player of the Match with a match-high 13 kills, adding 13 digs and three blocks for 15.5 points. Breanna Golding added 10.5 points on nine kills and an ace, while Grace Blaskovits dished out 26 assists.

Bisons left side Andi Almonte was named Player of the Match for the hosts, posting 10 kills, while back-to-back U SPORTS MVP Raya Surinx paced Manitoba with 17.5 points on 11.5 kills, four aces, four blocks and four digs.

Saturday's all-Huskies consolation semifinal will be livestreamed on the CBC Sports YouTube page. WATCH LIVE

Recap by Mike Still / Manitoba Bisons Athletics
Photos by Zachary Peters / Manitoba Bisons Athletics