The University of Regina's women's volleyball team opened up their 2021-22 conference schedule with a three-set road loss to Winnipeg on Friday night.

The first two sets were close with Winnipeg taking them by scores of 25-23 and 25-21, but it was all Wesmen in the third set as they clinched the match with a 25-14 victory.

Selva Planincic and Emma Parker both had 12 kills for Winnipeg (1-0) in the win, with Planincic adding 10 digs for a double-double. Portia Switzer also had a double-double for Winnipeg with 37 assists and 10 digs.

The Cougars went with a starting lineup that consisted of Annika Hufnagel, Katie House, Claire Sheppard, Kaylyn Brown, Caitlyn Spurr, and Jessica Lerminiaux with Sierra Parris-Kruger at libero. Bailey Balaberda, Jordy McEachern, Devyn Grimsrud, and Cassadi Klapak all came in off the bench in what was the first Canada West match for all four first-year players.

Lerminiaux led the Cougars (0-1) with 10 kills while Parris-Kruger had a match-leading 15 digs.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday night in Winnipeg.