VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds are on the road this week to wrap up the first half of their schedule against CIS No. 3 Alberta. There is plenty to play for in the only regular season meeting between these squads, as the 'Birds could leapfrog Alberta into third place with two wins, or fall as far as sixth in Canada West with two losses.
No. 5 UBC Thunderbirds
2011 conference record: 6-2 (4th)
2011 CIS ranking: 5
Last week: beat Calgary 3-1, lost to Calgary 3-1
Streak: 1 loss
The T-Birds had a four-match win streak snapped last weekend in a disappointing straight-sets loss to the Calgary Dinos at home. UBC started slow both nights against Calgary, and although they came back strong to win game one, they never got over the hump against the Dinos' blockers in game two. Calgary had 13.5 blocks in that three-set match.
The 'Birds are one of the top defensive teams in the conference, leading in digs, second in blocks and third in opponent hitting percentage.
Cary Brett and
Yari Kozel are most responsible for those blocking numbers, as Brett leads the conference with just under 1.5 blocks per game while Kozel is seventh with 1.23.
Kozel has also been one of the most efficient attackers in the conference from his middle blocker spot. He is third in the league with a .386 hitting percentage.
Transfer player
David Zeyha is enjoying a strong debut season with the T-Birds. He is one of just two 'Birds to play in every regular season set this year (the other is libero
Ian Perry), and he leads the team with three kills per game. Another newcomer,
Jarrid Ireland, is next with 2.44 kills per game.
No. 3 Alberta Golden Bears2011 conference record: 7-1 (3rd)
2011 CIS ranking: 3
Last week: lost to Manitoba 3-1, beat Manitoba 3-2
Streak: 1 win
The Golden Bears suffered their first loss of the season against the newly-minted No. 2 Manitoba Bisons on the road last week, but avenged that loss with a five-set win over the same Bisons the next night. Taylor Hunt and Mitch Irvine combined for 43 kills in game two to lead the Bears to victory.
Only top-ranked Trinity Western has a better hitting percentage than Alberta. Irvine leads the team and is second in the conference with an average of 4.18 kills per game. Hunt averages just over three kills.
The Bears are also one of the top blocking teams in the conference, led by Matt McCreary and Tristan Aubry. Both are top-ten individually in conference blocking, combining for about 2.4 blocks per game.
Setter Jarron Mueller is also having a big year. He posted 59 assists in their win over Manitoba, and is third in Canada West with just under 11 assists per game.
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