The women’s volleyball team has cooled down after a sizzling hot start to the season.

The Huskies women’s volleyball team will look to rebound after a disappointing meeting against the University of Manitoba Bisons. The Dogs dropped both matches in straight sets on Nov. 8 and 9 in Winnipeg and are now 2-4 on the season.

The Bisons won the first meeting 25-13, 25-18 and 25-14 without much trouble. The home side was strong from the first point and kept their errors low while launching effective attacks against the Huskies.

The Dogs found themselves down early after the Bisons opened the first set with four straight points. Strong defense from the Bisons made it hard for the Huskies to find any holes for their attacks and the home side secured the set after some costly Dog errors.

It was the Bisons turn to stare down a lead in the second set after the Huskies jumped out to a 9-6 advantage. The home side responded by going on a nine point tear to take a 15-9 lead and continued to outpace the Huskies for 24-18. A kill from Crystal Mulder gave the Bisons the set.

Bison Rachel Cockrell frustrated the Huskies in the third set with precision attacking as the home side pulled away from 11 all to 19-11. The Bisons protected their lead and had match points at 24-14, closing out the match on another kill from Cockrell.

Outside hitter Candace Hueser led the Huskies with 12 kills and four blocks. Kayla Tycholiz and Anne Hanbidge added another six kills each.

The second match was much of the same as the Huskies failed to win a set in a 23-25, 17-25 and 18-25 loss.

Things were looking good for the Huskies in the first set as the team built an 8-5 lead but the Bisons hit back for an 11-8 advantage. The set seemed to be in the home team’s hands as they continued to outpace the Huskies and eventually had set points at 24-20. The Huskies saved three set points to make it 23-24, but the Bisons stole the opener off a Huskie error.

The Bisons pulled away from an early tie in the second, scoring five straight points for a 10-5 lead. The Huskies fought back for 9-10 but the Bisons went on another tear to reclaim a substantial 15-9 lead. Leading 20-15, the home team snuffed out any chance of a Huskie comeback and allowed the Dogs only two more points to take the set 25-17.

The Huskies chased the Bisons throughout the third set but were never able to catch up after the home side jumped out to an early 10-3 advantage. The Bisons claimed the third set 25-18.

Hanbidge led the Huskies with 10 kills.

The Huskies face the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat on Nov. 15 and 16 in the Physical Activity Complex.

—
Photo: Beibei Lu/The Manitoban