KINGSTON, ON – Playing its sixth match in six days, a makeshift UBC's men's volleyball squad battled its way to a 3-1 win over McMaster in the first round of the Queen's University Coast to Coast Classic on Friday.
The set scores were: 25-21, 25-20, 23-25, and 25-22.
Robert Bennett (5th, Vancouver, BC) was named UBC's player of the match after recording 13 kills, six digs and a block.
The Thunderbirds won the first two sets on the strength of the team's play at the net and rebounded after dropping the third in close fashion.
“The boys played well today all things considered,” said head coach
Richard Schick.
UBC arrived at the tournament after bussing 11 hours from Fredericton, New Brunswick, where the team finished a four-game Atlantic tour on Wednesday.
The Thunderbirds are also missing fifth year seniors
Joe Cordonier and
Cary Brett to injuries.
But the team's younger players have stepped up.
Outside hitter
David Zeyha (Grande Prairie, AB) led UBC recorded a team-leading 17 kills and a .433 hitting percentage in Friday's win over McMaster.
Schick also praised the play of three rookies, setter
Milan Nikic (1st, Calgary, AB), right side
Jarrid Ireland (1st, Winnipeg, MB) and middle
Alex Russell (1st, Surrey, BC).
“We played these last three matches with three true freshman and they have responded very well to the situations they've been put into,” said Schick. “Jarrid led us in both wins versus UNB in kills and Milan has done an outstanding job running the offence.”
Friday's win over McMaster moves UBC into the tournament semi-finals. The Thunderbirds will play Calgary on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in Kingston.
