Box Score The University of Winnipeg Wesmen Women's Volleyball team defeated their cross town rivals the University of Manitoba Bisons 3-0 (25-23, 25-10, 26-24) in the volleyball portion of the 25th Annual Duckworth Challenge Thursday evening in the Dr. David F. Anderson Gymnasium.
Winnipeg with the win improves their record to 7-12 and remains in the hunt for a Canada West Women's Volleyball playoff spot. Manitoba with the loss drops to 2-17.
Fifth year player Tia Boroski led the Wesmen with a match high 19 kills. Fourth year outside hitter Ozana Nikolic was next with 11 kills, while adding seven digs. Fifth year setter Jayme Menzies added 35 assists while fifth year middle blocker Mackenzie Jeffrey was in on four blocks.
Tori Studler led Manitoba with six kills. Cassie Bujan led the team in digs with seven and Sarah Klassen finished with three blocks.
Manitoba started the opening set strong, reeling off five quick points to take an early 5-0 lead on the hometown Wesmen. Winnipeg on a kill by Chelsea Jones cut the lead to 12-11 until Manitoba scored four of the next five points to take a 16-12 lead into the technical timeout. Winnipeg found momentum late battling to tie the score at 21-21 and surged ahead, backed by a pair of Tia Boroski kills to win the set 25-23.
Winnipeg had the second set under control early on, leading 16-5 at the technical timeout and never were threatened winning the set 25-10 to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
The Bisons found their game in the third set, racing out to a quick and early 10-3 lead. Manitoba continued to keep the Wesmen off balance leading 16-7 at the technical timeout. The resilient Wesmen team did not give up and dug deep to tie the score at 24-24 late in the set. Winnipeg closed out the set on a kill by Jayme Menzies followed by a service ace by Ozana Nikolic. Winnipeg won the final set of the match 26-24.
Tia Boroski (Winnipeg) and Tori Studler (Manitoba) were named the Duckworth Challenge Players of the Game.
Winnipeg and Manitoba will close out their home and home series on Saturday afternoon at the University of Manitoba. Match time is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
