SASKATOON, Sask. - Using momentum from two extra point set wins, the visiting No. 6 ranked UBC Thunderbirds defeated the No. 8 University of Saskatchewan Huskies 3-2 (19-25, 31-29, 27-25, 23-25, 15-11) Saturday night at the Physical Activitiy Complex in Saskatoon.
BOX SCORE
“This is probably one of the gutsier wins in my time at UBC when you look at some of the stuff the team had to face this weekend in regards to the 18-hour travel day to get here and having a left side go down before we left and having a right side go down after last night's game with food poisoning,” said UBC head coach
Richard Schick.
After dropping the first set 25-19 to the Huskies, UBC found their stride with strong defence by libero
Ian Perry to match Saskatchewan point-for-point for the 31-29 and 27-25 wins in the second and third games.
Saskatchewan took control of the fourth set when a Paul Thomson kill froze the UBC backline. The T-Birds couldn't regain the lead and Saskatchewan won 25-23.
A Matthew Busse service error put UBC ahead 7-6 in the final set and from there Saskatchewan wasn't able to regain a lead. A
Noah Derksen attack off the hands of Huskies' blockers gave UBC the match victory.
David Zeyha led the T-Birds with 21 kills on the night, while
Quentin Schmidt recorded 14 kills and 15 digs. Perry's defence was lights out with 18 digs in the match.
Chris Howe and Derksen both added 10 each.
"
Chris Howe had a very efficient night attacking, he did very well for us," said Schick. "
Milan Nikic had one of his best matches as a 'Bird."
Reigning Canada West Male Athlete of the Week Bryan Fraser recorded a double-double with 22 kills and 10 digs in the match. Thomson also had a strong night with 16 kills and 15 digs. Matthew Busse added another 13 successful attacks, while Robert Graham added 11.
With the win UBC snapped a four match losing streak and move to 2-4. The Huskies are 3-3.
The Huskies travel to face the No. 2 ranked Trinity Western Spartans next weekend, while UBC remains on the road to face the Calgary Dinos.
"The guys reached down deep to win that second set," said Schick. "It was just a very gutsy performance and we're coming home and preparing for Calgary. Looking forward to that road trip."
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