Box Score Box Score

The University of Regina's women's volleyball team opened up the 2009-10 Canada West season with a straight sets (25-22, 25-14, 25-18) loss to the No. 3-ranked Manitoba Bisons on Friday night at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport.

The first set featured seven tie scores, but the Bisons scored four consecutive points to break a 19-19 tie and held on for a 25-22 victory. Manitoba won the second set by a convincing 25-14 score, while the third set was close until the Bisons reeled off six straight points between the two media timeouts and coasted to a 25-18 win.

Ashley Voth recorded a match-high 13 kills for the Bisons and hit at a .357 clip. Sam Loewen had 26 assists and six digs for Manitoba, while Kristi Hunter had ten digs and led all players with five total blocks.

The win might turn out to be a costly one for Manitoba, as fourth-year outside hitter Sarah Morrissette – a second-team All-Canadian last season – went down with an ankle injury late in the first set and did not return.

Meagan Onstad registered team highs in both kills (9) and digs (10) for the Cougars, who were ranked No. 7 in this week's CIS poll. Beth Clark had a team-high four total blocks, while Tiffany Herman had 15 assists in two sets.

Manitoba had a .279 hitting percentage, while the Cougars hit .059 for the match.

Friday's match was the first conference game of the season for both teams.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday night at the CKHS following the men's match. First serve is scheduled for 8 p.m.