Host Bisons prevail over reigning champion Thunderbirds, advance to first final since 2014

There will be a new U SPORTS women's volleyball champion and the Manitoba Bisons will play for the title on home court. 

Two-time U SPORTS Player of the Year Raya Surinx had 25 kills, Andi Almonte had 11 and Light  Uchechukwu added 10, as the No. 3 Bisons edged the back-to-back national champion and No. 3 UBC Thunderbirds 3-1 (21-25, 25-23, 32-30, 26-24) in the first semifinal of the 2025 U SPORTS Women's Volleyball Championship at the Investors Group Athletic Centre in Winnipeg. 

After losing the first set by just four points, Manitoba rebounded to take the next three, with both sides scoring at least 21 points in each frame. The third set also saw each team register over 30 points before a winner was declared, in what was the closest match thus far of the tournament.

Julia Arnold led the way with a game-high 22 digs, with Almonte adding 12, Surinx chipping in 10 and Uchechukwu nine. Second Team All-Canadian Katreena Bently had eight, to go along with 60 assists. It all added up to a high-powered offence for the Bisons, who won bronze last year and will play for their first since U SPORTS title since last winning it all in 2014. 

First Team All-Canadian Lucy Borowski led the UBC attack with 17 kills and 14 digs, while Akash Grewal had 16 scores, 12 digs and four aces, Trinity Solecki contributed 12 kills and 18 digs and Olivia Furlan racked up 17 digs. 

Manitoba recorded a .260 hitting percentage in the match, compared to UBC's .225

With the win, Manitoba advances to the championship match and will play the winner of the second semifinal between No. 1 Alberta and No. 5 Montreal on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT while UBC takes on the loser of that match for bronze at 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT. 

Mikasa Players of the Game

UBC: Olivia Furlan

Manitoba: Julia Arnold