U of M Bisons win U Sports women’s volleyball crown on home court

The USports logo is seen in Halifax on March 8, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba Bisons, making their first appearance in the U Sports women’s volleyball final since 2014, didn’t disappoint the hometown fans as they defeated the Montreal Carabins 3-1 in the best-of-five final on Sunday.

The Bisons, who edged the back-to-back national champion UBC Thunderbirds in the semifinals, beat the Carabins 25-20, 25-19, 24-26, 25-16 in the championship showdown at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. It was Manitoba’s eighth national title.

The Carabins advanced to the final by sweeping past the Alberta Pandas 25-23, 25-22, 27-25 in the semifinals.

The Bisons led in kills (56-54) and digs (53-52). The Carabins led in attacks (147-129) and service aces (5-4).

Tournament MVP Raya Surinx had 25.5 points, 23 kills and 10 digs for the winners, while Light Uchechukwu had 13.5 points, 11 kills and 10 digs, while Andi Almonte and Brenna Bedosky each had 12.5 points.

Florence Cloutier led the Carabins with 18.5 points, 17 kills and 14 digs, while Florence Lapointe had 12 kills, 12.5 points and nine digs, and Julia Lanthier had eight kills and 12 points.

Manitoba recorded a .357 hitting percentage in the match, compared to Montreal’s .184.

The Pandas earned the bronze medal with a 25-21, 28-30, 25-22, 25-18 win over the Thunderbirds. The McMaster Marauders edged the Saint Mary’s Huskies 3-2 in the fifth-place game.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 16, 2025.

The Canadian Press