VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds prevailed in a thrilling five set match on Friday afternoon at War Memorial, downing the Saskatchewan Huskies 3-2 (25-17, 22-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-6) for their third win of the season.
The T-Birds (3-6) and Huskies (1-6) traded points for most of the first four sets but in the fifth and deciding frame it was all UBC.
Right from the outset in the fifth, the 'Birds claimed a 3-0 advantage forcing the Huskies on their back heel. The visitors battled back to even the score at 4-4 and it looked like the fifth set was going to be a tight one.
But in a break from the previous three sets, UBC asserted themselves and closed the match on a 12-2 run highlighted by substitute
Chris Klassen serving out the set after coming in with his squad up 11-6.
"I think we kept it simple in the fifth set. We just want guys to make plays.
Chris Klassen goes in and serves the game out. That's the type of plays what we're talking about," said Schick. "Working hard isn't good enough. Working hard doesn't necessarily mean you are working smart. We've just got to relax and do what we've got to do out there."
Klassen also played a big role in the fourth set, coming on as a late substitution - this time as a blocker - and helping UBC extended their lead to 22-20. Saskatchewan also responded then, actually taking the lead 23-22, but three straight points from the 'Birds was capped off by a
Milo Warren and
Joe Cordonier block to seal the frame 25-23.
If neither offence found much success on the day, Saskatchewan narrowly out hit UBC .180 to .175, it was the T-Bird block and defence that gave them the edge.
Cordonier anchored the T-Birds at the net with seven block assists in the middle while Warren, an outside, had one solo block and five assists as UBC enjoyed a 14-9 blocking advantage.
Blair Bann, the reigning CIS Libero of the Year, was in top form yet again for UBC, tallying 26 digs in a standout defensive performance.
"We've leaned on Blair a lot this year and we've got to lean on him some more. He makes the game look pretty easy and he knows the game pretty well. He's got to do a lot for us and he's brought it every single game," noted Schick. "Our guys also have to learn from him - how he plays and what he brings. I don't think they realize how lucky they are sometimes but it's part of the learning process."
The first set was even up until the second technical timeout with the 'Birds ahead 16-15 before they blew it open late for an early lead.
Ben Chow tallied three of his games high five service aces in that stretch to put away the frame.
Saskatchewan found their offensive spark in the second set, tallying a match best 16 kills with only four errors thanks to the play of Matthew Busse. Busse jumped out to a quick start, tallying 11 kills on only 21 swings through three sets but he earned just three more kills as the T-Bird block became more of a factor late in the game.
The third set also went down to the wire with the Huskies taking the lead after the second technical timeout and then pushing two points to break open a 23-23 tie.
Warren led the 'Birds with 16 kills while
Demijan Savija tallied 12.
Cary Brett posted another solid line for the T-Birds in the middle with nine kills on .533 hitting to go along with one solo and two block assists.
Bryan Fraser also cracked double digits for the Huskies in kills with 10 and Jeffrey Grant added nine kills and a team-best 11 digs.
The two teams meet again Saturday night with first serve set for 8:00 p.m.
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