VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds now have a four-game stranglehold on first place in Canada West after cruising to a 3-0 win (25-14, 25-16, 25-16) over the Manitoba Bisons on Friday night at War Memorial Gym.
The T-Birds knew heading into this weekend that if they could sweep their two-match series against the second-place Bisons, they could lock up the top seed heading into the Canada West playoffs. What they didn't know was how lopsided game one of the series would be.
CIS number one-ranked UBC out-hit second-ranked Manitoba .392 to .034 on the night, and won the blocking battle 11-4. The Bisons' only lead of the night was when they went up 6-5 in the second set, but the 'Birds quickly regained the lead and never looked back on their way to their 16th win in as many games this season.
"Everybody knew it would be a big game and it builds a lot of confidence knowing that we can come to play at a key time," said UBC head coach
Doug Reimer. "Having said that, we fully anticipate Manitoba to pass the ball better tomorrow. They were out of system more than they wanted to be, and we were in system more than they wanted us to be."
Jen Hinze led the T-Birds with 10 kills and an incredible .714 hitting percentage.
Liz Cordonier and
Shanice Marcelle each chipped in nine kills. Setter
Katie Tyzuk was spot-on for most of the night, tallying 28 assists.
The first set was all about overpowering offence for UBC. Manitoba seemingly had no answer for the 'Birds, who hit .536 as a team, led by six Cordonier kills.
The second set had a very different look but the same impressive result for UBC. The 'Birds hit just .160, but held Manitoba to -.152 hitting, and had eight blocks in the set.
Kyla Richey led the block effort for UBC, finishing with a well-rounded stat line of a game-high seven block-assists, three aces and six kills.
The third set was Hinze's time to shine, as she had six kills in the frame, including four of UBC's final five points on the night.
Kate Wasyliw led Manitoba with six kills.
Now at 16-0 on the year, the T-Birds are just four games away from a perfect regular season. It won't be an easy road however, as they take on the Bisons again tomorrow, followed by two road games against fourth-ranked Alberta.
The Bisons fall to 12-4 with the loss, and will need to win all four of their remaining games to have a chance at catching the 'Birds.
The two sides will finish their series on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m., once again at War Memorial Gym.
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