Bobcats outlast Wesmen in marathon match

BRANDON, Man. – The Brandon Bobcats picked up a critical 3-2 (25-23, 25-19, 17-25, 14-25, 17-15) win over the Winnipeg Wesmen Saturday to earn a split in the home-and-home series.

Although spectators were limited to 250, all 250 in attendance were treated to a thrilling match.

The Bobcats were looking to flip the script from Thursday’s straight sets loss in Winnipeg, and did so in the first two sets.

For the third and fourth sets, Winnipeg had other ideas in mind.

After Winnipeg forced a fifth, the two teams traded leads before the Wesmen forced match point.

The Bobcats refused to back down however, as a quick side-out sent captain Rayvn Wiebe back to the line, where the senior outside hitter ended it for the home side with an ace.

After putting up a solid stat line Thursday, Wiebe finished with another double-double registering team-highs in kills (14) and digs (20).

Nicole Ashauer also put up a double-double (13 kills and 13 digs) while rookie outside hitter Keely Anderson continued her impressive season with 10 kills and four aces.

Ashleigh Laube led the Wesmen with 19 kills and four aces while Portia Switzer had a match-high 48 assists.

The win improves Brandon record to 5-5 and brings the Canada West east division standings to a log jam. Winnipeg now sits at 5-6.

Up next for the Bobcats is a bye weekend before heading to Winnipeg to play the Manitoba Bisons on Feb. 11.

The Wesmen will play the Bisons next Friday at home.