KAMLOOPS, BC - The top-ranked UBC Thunderbirds moved within one win of clinching first place in the Canada West and the right to host the conference Final Four with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-9, 25-12) victory over the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack on Friday night.
It was a dominant performance from the three-time defending CIS champions as they compiled a team hitting percentage of .397 while holding their opponents to .024.
Kyla Richey led the T-Bird attack with 12 kills on only 19 swings. Middles
Jessica von Schilling and
Jen Hinze combined for 12 kills and anchored a UBC defensive effort that held the 'Pack at bay all game. Setter
Brina Derksen-Bergen put together a stellar all around performance with 31 set assists to go along with four service aces and a game-high eight digs.
"It was a very strong performance from the T-Birds. Offensively we were very solid. That middle connection between Brina and both Jen and Jessica were both clicking well," said UBC head coach
Doug Reimer. "We were able to maintain our focus and intensity, especially when with our serving which is hard to do in this gym. We'll look for more of the same tomorrow night as we try to close out the season with another good performance."
TRU was led by Anna Dyakiewicz and Kelly Asleson who each finished with five kills apiece.
The hosts opened the match with a strong push, taking a quick 4-1 lead. The T-Birds responded with a 10-0 run on von Schilling's serve to take control of the set and never looked back the rest of the match.
The second and third sets saw more of the same from the visitors as they tallied an impressive 27 kills to just three errors on 44 total attacks during that time. TRU, on the other hand, were never able to get their offence going as they ended the match with totals of 21 kills and 19 errors over the three sets.
UBC (14-3) can clinch first place Saturday night with a victory over TRU (2-15) in the re-match.
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