WINNIPEG – The Manitoba Bisons (6-5) completed an impressive comeback on Friday night at Investors Group Athletic Centre, rallying from a set down to win 3-2 over the Calgary Dinos (5-6) (23-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-21, 15-7).

Right side Kevin Negus recorded 27 kills — three shy of the 2019-20 single-game conference best — to lead all players. The Dinos were paced by middle Hamish Hazelden, who had 16 kills. 


Both teams got off on the right foot on the attack, as Manitoba hit 33 percent while Calgary countered at 28 percent in a tight 25-23 set win. The biggest difference came at the service line, where the hosts had six errors. 

Outside hitter Liam Kuppe led the way with five kills on seven attacks for the Dinos, while Negus had a set-high eight kills on 13 attacks. 

Set two mimicked the score of the first, this time ending in Manitoba's favour. Both sides continued to have a strong attack, hitting 22 percent each. 

The Dinos got five kills from Hazelden, who made his return to the lineup after a first half injury, however Negus' workman-like effort was too much. 

He had 16 kills and just three errors for Manitoba, while Ben Carleton — playing in the middle due to injuries in Manitoba's lineup — recorded a solo block and assisted block while also closing things out with back-to-back service aces. 

Calgary cleaned up their passing in the third set, which led to a versatile attack and four-point win. Middle Mitchell Higgin tallied three kills and an attack percentage of 75 percent, while Hazeldon added six kills for a Dinos team that hit 40 percent overall. 

Manitoba got four kills apiece from Negus and Carleton, however they also recorded four service errors, a few coming in key times down the stretch. 

Manitoba fought back from 20-19 down in the fourth set, earning five of the last six points to tie things up at two. Calgary got 13 assists from setter Tomas Sorra in a well-balanced attack, however Negus came on strong with three kills late. 

Left side Owen Schwartz would eventually end things with a kill on an excellent cross-court pass from setter Jack Mandryk, who had 36 assists and six digs entering the fifth. 

The hosts completed the comeback in the fifth, getting multiple kills from Negus and Carleton en route to a 15-7 win. 

Both sides will be back at it tomorrow night. 

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