A new champion was crowned at the U Sports Women’s Volleyball championship!
The Manitoba Bisons pulled off an amazing performance against the Montreal Carabins in a nail-biting final, where they defeated the Carabins in a best of five, leading the set with 3-1, in their home court on Sunday.
It was the Manitoba Bisons’ first final in the U Sports Women’s Volleyball since 2014, and they made the most out of it.
Key Moments in the Final
The final was mostly dominated by the Bisons, as they were able to win the first two sets, that too in a very fashionable way. However, the Carabins tried to come back in the third set, but were stopped from becoming the champion in the fourth set of the game.
Set 1: Bisons take an early lead
Manitoba Bisons had only one intention coming into the final-to win the championship title. The Bisons were previously held back by the UBC Thunderbirds in the semi-finals, starting strong with solid attacks.
The outside hitters of the Bisons were consistently dominating with their precise serves and attacks every time, making the Carabins clueless about the game at one point. As a result, the first set ended with 25-2,0, favoring the Bisons.
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Set 2: A dominant performance from the Bisons
As the sets continued, the aggression of the Bisons was not settled, and they started to attack as soon as the second set started. Their offense was on-point, along with their aggressive serve which helped them to find gaps in the defense of the Carabins.
During the second set of the game, the Bisons left the Carabins on the floor, when they were ahead in the set with a 6-point lead and eventually won the set by 25-19.
Set 3: The Comeback of Carabins’
The Carabins did not hold back in the third set of the game, as they had to come back stronger to be in the game.
During Set 3 of the game, the key moment was when the Carabins were two points behind, but their determination towards the game allowed them to hit back-to-back aces, putting them ahead of the Bisons. They closed the set with a comeback of 26-24.
Set 4: The Bisons Close The Game
Despite the Bisons losing the third set of the game, their intention towards the championship title was very clear, and again started to dominate from the beginning of the set. They quickly realized their mistakes and regrouped to consistently serve in the right place, along with a solid defense.
The Carabins, who had built up the confidence in the previous set, were clueless and overwhelmed by the attack and defense of the Bisons. The set was closed out at 25-16, making the Bisons the undisputed champions of U Sports Women’s Volleyball 2025.
Star Performers Throughout the Tournament
Manitoba Bisons’ players were outstanding throughout the tournament, especially in the final, where they made a strong comeback after losing the third set. The key players, along with their significant roles, include:
| Player | Performance |
| Katreena Bentley (Setter) | Exceptional to set up the offense and she made 47 assists throughout the game. |
| Raya Surinx (Outside Hitter) | Tournament MVP, 23 kills, and led the team in offensive production. |
| Julia Arnold (Libero) | Played a key defensive role, had at least 9 digs, and contributed to the team’s overall defense. |
| Uchechukwu (Left Side) | Contributed significantly on defense and offense, with at least 9 digs and solid block performances. |
| Ella Gray (Substitute) | The massive save on serve-receive late in Set 3 contributed effectively off the bench. |
| Chloe Ellerbrock (Outside Hitter) | Had two aces, showcasing her serving strength and contributing offensively. |
| Brenna Bedosky (Middle Blocker) | The key in defense with a stuff block early in Set 1 set the tone. |
| Eve Catojo (Middle Blocker) | Contributed three straight assisted blocks in Set 1, vital in keeping Montreal’s offense at bay. |
| Team Performance | Manitoba hit 357 overall and had 7 total blocks (3 solos), and five players had at least 9 digs. |
Following the victory over the Carabins, the coach of the Bisons expressed, “I don’t know what to say. This team has just blown me away for the last three or four years. I’m so proud of this group. They’ve been such a treat to coach.”
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