The UBC Thunderbirds men's and women's volleyball teams will have their hands full this weekend as the take on the University of Alberta Friday and Saturday night at War Memorial Gym.
Women's Volleyball
#3 Alberta vs. #2 UBC
Friday November 2, 2012 - 6:00 PM
Saturday November 3, 2012 - 5:00 PM
War Memorial Gym
No. 2 UBC Thunderbirds (1-1)
Last Week: W 3-0 vs TWU, L 3-1 at TWU
The conference season started out brilliantly for the 'Birds, who swept through top-ranked Trinity Western in Vancouver and took the first set against them back in Langley the next day, but the Spartans rebounded to take the rematch 3-1 and split the series.
That means the five-time defending national champion T-Birds remain at No. 2 in the nation for now, but they will have plenty more chances to prove themselves against a loaded pre-semester break schedule. That begins this week with a tough test against No. 3 Alberta, a team they last faced in the CIS title game and before that in the Canada West title game. Both of those went five sets.
Lisa Barclay started her season well, racking up 26 kills and four aces against the Spartans. She also averaged more than 2.5 digs per set. That kind of solid all-around performance was an encouraging and reassuring sight now that she must step into the role of UBC's main weapon with Kyla Richey having graduated. Barclay looked fit for the part and poised for a big year on the outside in week one.
The 'Birds got great serving performances from several players last week, Barclay included, and that will be an important trend to maintain against Alberta. Coach Doug Reimer noted his middles in particular were very effective from the service line, led by Abbey Keeping who racked up six of UBC's 16 aces.
No. 3 Alberta Pandas (2-0)
Last Week: W 3-1, W 3-1 at Saskatchewan
The Pandas lost four starters from their Canada West Gold and CIS Silver medal-winning team, but they still have plenty of returning talent, including versatile All-Canadian and national team setter Jaki Ellis, setter/right side hitter Alyssa Jones, and left-side Krista Zubick, who missed significant time with injuries last year.
All three were effective in their opening week sweep of Saskatchewan, but perhaps even more impressive was talented rookie outside hitter Kacey Otto. The hard-swinging freshman piled up a team-high 28 kills in the first week of her CIS career, including a game-high 10 digs in game two and a .480 hitting percentage in that match.
With their two-setter system and a dangerous new weapon on the outside, the Pandas should have what it takes to give the 'Birds another tough couple of matches this weekend. These teams met a total of four times last season including the playoff title games, and of a possible maximum of 20 sets the teams needed 19 to decide those games.
Men's Volleyball
#1 Alberta vs. #7 UBC
Friday November 2, 2012 - 8:00 PM
Saturday November 3, 2012 - 7:00 PM
War Memorial Gym
No. 7 UBC Thunderbirds (1-1)
Last Week: W 3-2 vs TWU, L 3-1 at TWU
The Thunderbirds have a fresh feel about them after a graduating class of seven fifth-years said goodbye last year, and they couldn't have written up a better opening night script to introduce themselves.
After falling behind 2-0 to the defending national champion Trinity Western Spartans, the 'Birds rallied behind a group of second-years and a new transfer from Red Deer College to storm back for the huge upset on home court.
Quentin Schmidt is that transfer player, but he looked right at home tying for the match-high with 12 kills in his first conference game. He topped that number in UBC's loss at TWU the next night, leading the 'Birds with 14 kills on .286 hitting.
Ben Chow kicked off the season with 10 kills, which was an encouraging sight after the athletic outside hitter missed all of last year with an injury.
The 'Birds also have the high-flying Jarrid Ireland on the outside in just his second year as well. Their talented setter Milan Nikic and big man in the middle Alex Russell are also sophomores, and starting libero Ian Perry is in his third year, giving UBC an extremely bright young core that has started well and should only get better as the year goes on.
No. 1 Alberta Golden Bears (2-0)
Last Week: W 3-1, W 3-0 vs Saskatchewan
The Bears pounded the Huskies with a multi-faceted attack to start the season with a sweep, and with almost their whole lineup of skilled veterans returning from a CIS tournament appearance last year and some key new recruits, they are the team to beat for now.
Jay Olmstead lead the team with 30 kills over the weekend. Fellow seniors Mitch Irvine and Matt McCreary also reached double digits in kills in the opener, which has a lot to do with one of those key rookies.
Freshman setter Brent Walsh averaged more than 10 assists per set last weekend, and if he can keep up that kind of play with the weapons he has at his disposal, the Bears are going to be a very tough out this season.
