Winnipeg, MB – Two of the conference's best defensive teams went toe-to-toe on Friday night at Investors Group Athletic Centre. With playoff positioning on the line, it was the UFV Cascades that came out on top, handing the Manitoba Bisons their first loss at home 3-1 (21-25, 25-13, 25-17, 25-22).

As it happened:
The Cascades took an early 7-1 lead thanks to two service aces from veteran Gabrielle Attieh, however the Bisons stormed back with a textbook comeback. Back-to-back service aces from left side Raya Surinx tied the game at 13, then the rookie gave Manitoba the lead on a pipe attack. The Bisons didn't trail the rest of the way, with Surinx ending the set with a kill from the right.

The Cascades opened a six-point lead in the second and didn't trail the rest of the way. The hosts got the score to within four, but it wasn't enough to stop the pace of UFV, who were led by Gabrielle and Lauren Attieh's 15 combined kills after two. 

Cascades' setter Cailin Bitter continued to spread the ball well in the third for UFV. Six different players had at least four kills, as the Cascades opened a six-point lead in the middle of the set, winning by five overall. The two teams continued to flash their defensive prowess, with a combined 99 digs after three.

UFV took a 9-4 lead in the fourth, but the Bisons clawed back to tie the set at 13 to prompt a timeout. The teams traded blows from there, but the Cascades edged out Manitoba in the late stages to seal the match.

Quotable:
Manitoba Bisons head coach Ken Bentley

"We had some chances, some looks. We just have to play a little bit better. We couldn't get a bunch of points on them at a time. They were siding out pretty well, and I don't think our side out game was as strong today. That was a big factor."

Top performers:
Gabrielle Attieh had a match-high 17 kills to go with two aces for the Cascades, while Lauren Attieh picked up 11 kills and 14 digs. Natalie Lemoine-Sells added 11 kills, two aces, and 14 digs in the effort.

Bisons libero Julia Arnold led all players with 25 digs, the third game in a row where she's had at least 20. Ella Gray notched a team-high nine kills and four blocks in the effort.

Where they sit:
The Cascades improve to 15-6 on the year, while the Bisons drop to 13-8 this season.

The teams square off again on Saturday afternoon in Winnipeg, with the first serve scheduled for 4:45 p.m. PT.