VANCOUVER - The fifth-ranked UBC Thunderbirds begin the new year with a great chance to pick up some ground at the top of the conference standings, as they host the struggling Thompson Rivers Wolfpack on Friday, January 13 at 8 p.m., and Saturday, January 14 at 7 p.m.
Both games will be webcast on
CanadaWest.tv
GAME TIMES
Fri., Jan. 13 - TRU at No. 5 UBC (8 p.m. at War Memorial Gymnasium, Vancouver)
Sat., Jan 14 - TRU at No. 5 UBC (7 p.m. at War Memorial Gymnasium, Vancouver)
No. 5 UBC Thunderbirds
2011 conference record: 7-3 (3rd)
2011 CIS ranking: 5
Last week: off
Streak: 1 win
After a disappointing straight-sets loss to Calgary to close out their 2011 home schedule, the T-Birds made sure to end the first half of the season on a high note, earning an impressive split on the road against the CIS No. 3 Alberta Golden Bears with a 3-0 sweep in the second match.
Fifth-year outside hitter
Robert Bennett and new transfer
David Zeyha both went off on Alberta for 12 kills each in just three sets. Zeyha appears to be getting very comfortable in his new surroundings, having led or tied for the team kills lead in four straight matches. For the season, he leads the team with 3.17 kills per game, while Bennett is next at 2.56
But this year's T-Birds are a defense-first type of team. They are third in the conference in opponent hitting percentage and blocks, while leading all teams in the dig department with an average of 12.11
Middles
Cary Brett and
Yari Kozel are both top-ten conference blockers, averaging almost 2.5 blocks per set combined. Both have been efficient offensive contributors as well, hitting over .300 for the season.
Ian Perry has transitioned back to his libero spot very well this season. He had big shoes to fill after three-time CIS Libero of the Year
Blair Bann graduated last year, but is doing an admirable job with 3.50 digs per game, which is good for second in the Canada West.
Thompson Rivers Wolfpack
2011 conference record: 2-10 (10th)
2011 CIS ranking: -
Last week: 3 losses in California
Streak: 1 win
Although they can lay some of the blame on a very tough first-half schedule (eight of their matches have been against top-five teams in the conference), this season has certainly been a disappointing one after the 'Pack were a playoff team at 9-9 just last year.
This year's edition of the team is a young one, and the lack of experience appears to be manifesting itself in the form of inefficient offence. TRU ranks second-last in Canada West with a .182 team hitting percentage. Most of the offence runs through rookie outside hitter Brad Gunter, who averages 3.22 kills per game, but opponents seem to be keying in on this, as he is hitting just .181 for the year.
Middle Alex Davis is the only one hitting above .300 for the year, though he is just fourth on the team kills list, but he is also their best defensive threat at the net, averaging almost a block per game.
Some of their offensive woes stem from inconsistency at the setter position. Time at that spot has been split between sophomore Colin Carson and senior Mike Hawkins, though neither has been able to consistently run the offence efficiently.
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