VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds volleyball teams got off to a perfect start in 2010 as each squad earned a two-game sweep of the Regina Cougars on the road last weekend.
Both squads continue their march towards the post-season this weekend as they travel to Manitoba to take on the Brandon Bobcats. The no. 1 ranked women's team will be facing another ranked opponent as they try to protect their 11-0 start to the campaign while the men look to build off their success against Regina as they attempt to work their way back into the playoff picture.
For the no. 1 CIS-ranked women's team, last weekend proved to be their stiffest test yet as they won 3-2 on Friday and then 3-1 on Saturday to remain undefeated.
Liz Cordonier,
Kyla Richey and
Shanice Marcelle led the UBC attack, combining for 76 kills over the nine sets. Although the the two teams were even in blocks during the first match (12.5 apiece), UBC controlled the net during the rematch, out blocking the Cougars 13.5-5.0.
Head coach
Doug Reimer had this to say about the back and forth, hard fought weekend.
"Regina was a very good team. They served the ball the best we have seen this year and they worked extremely hard on defence. We didn't play our best but we came through when it mattered and you can always be pleased getting the win."
The men's squad had a much easier time with the Cougars, easily dispatching them by identical scores of 3-0.
Kyle Duperron, playing left side for the first time in his four years at UBC, led the T-Birds with back-to-back 14-kill performances. Middle
Cary Brett was nearly flawless earning 14 kills on just 19 total attacks and he lead a dominant UBC block with one solo and 12 block assists. Libero
Blair Bann continued his stellar season, posting 21 digs over the two matches.
The pair of wins improved UBC's record to 3-7 and moved them 1.5 games back of Manitoba and Winnipeg for the seventh and final playoff spot.
If the male T-Birds hope to keep their playoff dreams alive, they will need as many wins as possible over the final four weeks of their season. This is going to be easier said then done as the final four squads they face all started 2010 in the CIS top 10.
UBC head coach
Richard Schick was pleased with his team's performance in Regina but he knows the key matches are still to come.
"Slowly but surely we are getting back on track. As the cliché goes we control our own destiny. The next two weekends we play teams just ahead of us in the standings and we will need to perform well in those matches if we want to move up the standings", explained Schick.
The men take to the court against the Bobcats at 6:00 p.m. PST both Friday and Saturday while the women are on just before at 4:00 p.m.
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