CALGARY - The Mount Royal Cougars managed to split their weekend series against the Manitoba Bisons on Saturday evening at Kenyon Court, winning in straight sets (25-18, 26-24, 25-21).  

The Cougars were lead by big games from Josh Kirkham and Tyler Schmidt, who made 11 and nine kills respectively. Meanwhile Scott Vercaigne was the best Bison on the court, totaling 13 kills. 

The Cougars came out flying, taking a quick 5-1 first set lead.  The Bisons quickly fired back, equalizing the set at 10.  The Cougars big men took over from there, as the 6'7 duo of Josh Kirkham and Lachlan Polson made seven kills helping the Cougars take the set 25-18. 

The highly contested second set went back and fourth as neither team gained more than a three point lead. After the Bisons achieved the largest lead of the game at 16-13, a line fault followed by an ace by Matt Saly brought the game to within one yet again. With the game tied 24-24, Mount Royal head coach Shawn Sky walked towards the court and called on one of his players while the Cougars served. With the Bisons at first caught off guard, the rally went on until a Kirkham kill gave the Cougars a one-point lead. A net fault on the next play gave the Cougars the set win, 26-24.    

The Cougars continued their rally into the third set, quickly jumping ahead to a 7-2 lead. The Bisons found a little bit of life thanks to great play from Scott Vercaigne, who made a few kills to draw his team within two with the score 16-14.  Continuing their strong play, the Bisons drew even closer after a ball landed just out of the reach of Samuel Brisbane, as the Cougars led by just one. A kill by Schmidt a few points later put the Cougars back up 22-19, all the breathing room they would need to take a 25-21 win into the house. 

The Bisons (1-1) will return home next weekend to host the Regina Cougars. Meanwhile, the Cougars (1-1) have a bye next weekend and will return to action on November 11 when they visit Thompson Rivers University.