VANCOUVER - Not only did the UBC Thunderbirds go the distance against the nation's second-ranked team on Friday night, they came out on top with a 3-2 (25-21, 13-25, 19-25, 25-19, 16-14) win over the Calgary Dinos at War Memorial Gym.
In his first game back from injury,
Demijan Savija led the T-Birds with a huge effort in all aspects, including 19 kills, two solo blocks and his an overpowering ace on match point - his sixth of the night.
"We have been without him for most of the year, so for him to come back the way that he did, not only attacking but serving as well, was huge," said UBC head coach
Richard Schick. "To end it like that - going back there and not just dinking it over the net, but really taking a rip - that's the best example of stepping up when it counts. That gives you confidence when guys can step up in clutch-time and get it done."
Calgary began the fifth set with three straight points, and seemed to have all the momentum after a monster kill by Curtis James to go up 5-2, but the T-Birds came storming back to go up 10-7. Three straight UBC errors tied things up, but Calgary matched that with several mistakes of their own in the final frame, combining with the T-Birds to commit 11 errors in the fifth set.
After UBC took the first set, the Dinos easily won the next two, holding the 'Birds to sub-.100 hitting in each frame. Neither side could get their offence going on Friday, as the Dinos hit .153 as a team, and UBC hit .126.
The T-Birds found some rhythm in the fourth though, putting up four blocks and four aces en route to forcing a fifth and deciding set.
"It wasn't looking good after the second and third sets, but we came out stronger in the fourth with our serving and blocking and we showed up in the end." said Schick.
Canada West digs leader
Blair Bann was his usual All-Star calibre self, covering the whole floor brilliantly for the 'Birds and putting up another 21 digs in the process.
Joe Cordonier was huge at the net, finishing with one solo block and six assists.
Graham Vigrass led Calgary with 13 kills. Oleg Podporin had a strong showing, picking up nine kills on .412 hitting and adding seven block-assists.
The T-Birds picked up some valuable ground in the playoff race with the win, as they pulled one game closer to the Manitoba Bisons, who are hanging on to the seventh and final playoff spot after losing to Alberta today. The 'Birds are 4-9 while Manitoba is 5-7. Calgary falls to 8-3 with the loss.
The 'Birds and Dinos will be back at it on Saturday night to wrap up their series at War Memorial Gym. The match begins at 8 p.m.
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