UM to host U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship
The Bisons women volleyball team is ready to chase the glory starting March 14
The University of Manitoba Bisons are hosting the 2025 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship from Mar. 14-16, bringing the best university student-athletes from across Canada to compete.
The Bisons are coming into the championship with a number of successes behind them. In 2024, the team won the program’s first Canada West Championship and followed up the feat with a bronze medal finish at the 2024 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship.
Uchechukwu, the team’s captain, said the team has been building its culture since they started playing together in the Junior Bisons volleyball programs. All five seniors participated in the club prior to their university debuts.
Julia Arnold and Katreena Bentley
“I think we’ve built a place where everyone cares for each other,” says fifth-year Light Uchechukwu. “We lift each other up and we play Bisons volleyball.”
“We practiced so much, and we worked so unbelievably hard in our formative years to gain the skills, teamwork and cohesion that it takes to be successful,” says fellow senior Katreena Bentley.
This season, the team who is #1 ranked Canada West and #2 ranked U SPORTS, has made a name for itself by breaking several regular-season program records, including libero Julia Arnold’s 1,333 digs and Katreena Bentley’s 2,853 assists.
“It’s really special because we’ve always played together, we’ve always worked together and for each other,” says Bentley.
Light Uchechukwu
The team will compete in the 2025 Canada West Championship Feb. 27-Mar. 1 on home court. Uchechukwu says the team, like always, will be going into each game believing they can win every single set.
“That motivates everyone else to believe that we can do this. They dig some of the most insane balls and motivate everyone to keep up.”
Head coach Ken Bentley, a six-time national champion as head coach with over 1150 career wins at the U SPORTS level, says this championship is going to be something special.
“To have a team like we have to host, I’m grateful for it,” says coach Bentley. “I never wanted to host just to host, so when we won the bid, I knew that this team would be in the prime wheelhouse of one of the teams that could win.”
Gene Muller, Director of Athletics and Recreation, says the entire community is excited to see the team play on their home court and take advantage of the home crowd.
Manitoba Bisons against the Trinity Western Spartans at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Friday, November 15, 2019 (Dave Mahussier, Bison Sports)
“It’s truly been incredible to watch this team develop over the years and witness the incredible mark they’ve made on our volleyball program,” says Muller. “This is a powerhouse team, and I can’t wait for everyone to cheer them on and see firsthand all the hard work these amazing student-athletes have put in.”
The 2025 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship begins Friday, Mar. 14. The Bisons make their tournament debut in Session 2 at 6 p.m. on Friday. The event will stream live on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Sports app and CBC Gem.
For fans wanting to take in all the excitement of the weekend, Tournament passes are available now. Individual session tickets are also available.
Tournament Schedule
Friday, March 14
- 12 p.m. – Session #1: Quarter final 1
- 2 p.m. – Session #1: Quarter final 2
- 6 p.m. – Session #2: Quarter final 3 – Bisons first tournament appearance
- 8 p.m. – Session #2: Quarter final 4
Saturday, March 15
- 12 p.m. – Session #3: Consolation semi-final 1
- 2 p.m. – Session #3: Consolation semi-final 2
- 6 p.m. – Session #4: Championship semi-final 1
- 8 p.m. – Session #4: Championship semi-final 2
Sunday, March 16
- 1 p.m. – Session #5: Consolation final
- 3 p.m. – Session #5: Bronze medal game
- 7 p.m. – Session #6: Championship game