Men’s Volleyball
2022 U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championship Consolation Semifinal 1: McMaster takes down Queen’s in tight four-set battle, move on to consolation final
WINNIPEG (U SPORTS) – First-year Spencer Grahame led the University of Manitoba Bisons to victory over the University of Toronto Varsity Blues in the second consolation semifinal on day two of the 2022 U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championship at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. Grahame, a left-side hitter, recorded 12 kills on 31 attempts as the Bisons secured the 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 29-27) win and will advance to the consolation final.
Manitoba claimed the match’s opening set by a score of 25-17 with Grahame contributing seven of 12 total kills. It was Ben Carleton who led the way for the Bisons in the second set with six kills, helping the Bisons secure the set in dominating fashion 25-15. The third set turned out to be much closer as the two sides battled to a 27-27 tie before Manitoba eventually took the third and final set 29-27.
The play of fourth-year setter Jack Mandryk was the perfect complement to the performance of Grahame. Mandryk tallied 31 assists while adding four digs to help lead the Bisons to secure the win. Second-year Benedikt Licht from the Varsity Blues recorded 8 kills and four digs in the loss.
Manitoba recorded a .300 hitting percentage while Toronto, the 2022 OUA silver medalists posted a percentage of .096.
The win sends Manitoba to the consolation final on Sunday, March 27th at 11 a.m. CT where they will face the 2022 OUA champion McMaster Marauders who defeated Queen’s University in the other consolation semifinal. The loss knocks the Varsity Blues out of the national championship and will see them finish in either seventh or eighth place.
Mikasa Top Performers Presented by Nike Team
- Manitoba Bisons: Spencer Grahame
- Toronto Varsity Blues: Rylan Armstrong
