VANCOUVER – The five-time defending Canadian champion UBC Thunderbirds women's volleyball team gained a 3-0 victory over Augustana College (NCAA Division II) in its first match at the Vulcan Classic in Hilo, Hawaii today.
The Thunderbirds won the sets by scores of 25-20, 25-18 and 25-16 over a tired Vikings squad playing its second consecutive match at the tournament.
BOXSCORE
“A good opening match for the T-Birds, and I thought there were periods where our play was pretty good, particularly, at a number of points, our blocking,” said UBC head coach
Doug Reimer. “We out blocked them significantly.”
In total, UBC recorded 14 team blocks compared to Augustana's three.
In the opening game, the Thunderbirds built up a 16-8 lead thanks to 11 errors from the Vikings, who closed to within three at 20-17. But a
Shanice Marcelle (Victoria, BC) kill capped off a run of five consecutive points to end off the set. She ended the match with a game-high 13 kills. Augustana ended the set with 13 errors.
In the middle frame, UBC used a 9-3 run to go up 16-10 and extended that lead to 25-18. Again, the T-Birds closed off the set with a big run, scoring six of the last seven points with
Alissa Coulter (Calgary, AB) providing the final point with a kill.
The T-Birds completed the sweep in the third. Augustana registered the first point, but surrendered six of the next seven on an assortment of errors and UBC kills.
The lead reached its largest point at 22-14 when CIS Championship MVP
Lisa Barclay (Brandon, MB) found the floor with a kill.
UBC was able to close the match out with a 25-16 win in the third as newcomers
Danielle Brisebois (Bolton, ON) and
Alana Hansen (Richmond, BC) connected on the final point. Hansen provided the set and Brisebois the kill.
“I thought it was a good opportunity to give a number of players to play, especially given a couple of injuries,” said Reimer. “
Brina Derksen-Bergen has a sprained ligament in her wrist and didn't play very much and
Kirsty Setterlund came in and did a good job.
Jessica von Schilling is still rounding into shape so that combined with the fact that under NCAA rules, we're allowed 15 subs, it means a good opportunity early in the season for lots of play.”
Rosie Schlagintweit (Abbotsford, BC) chipped in with 12 kills while Barclay led UBC with 11 digs.
Mariah Bruinsma (Chilliwack, BC) had eight block assists.
The Thunderbirds' next match will take place on Saturday at 9 a.m. Pacific against the host team Hawaii Hilo.
Then, UBC will play Nebraska at Kearney, the No. 4 team in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top 25 preseason poll, at 5 p.m.
There will be live
Internet statistics of both games.
- with files from Augustana College Athletics
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