The University of British Columbia Athletics

VANCOUVER – Despite dealing with some key injuries, the UBC Thunderbirds cracked the win column with a solid 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-21) victory over the Manitoba Bisons on Friday night at War Memorial Gym.

BOX SCORE
 
The Bisons, who lost five starters from last year's squad, showed they are not to be taken lightly despite the heavy roster turnover, hanging tough with the No. 5 T-Birds in every set. Manitoba hit a very respectable .270 as a team and had three hitters rack up double digit kills.
 
Missing their top two setters (Milan Nikic and Austin Hinchey) and outside hitter (Jarrid Ireland), the T-Birds weren't about to overlook Manitoba just because they're in a so-called "rebuilding phase."
 
UBC had a nice advantage at the service line, with seven aces and only six service errors, keeping the pressure on the Bisons and freeing up their outside hitters to have big nights. Quentin Schmidt benefited to the tune of 12 kills on .500 hitting, and Ben Chow added 11 kills.
 
"We can't take anything for granted when we're healthy, let alone when we're injured like this, but I thought guys stepped up and played well today," said UBC head coach Richard Schick. "Definitely good to get in the win column."
 
Usual libero Ian Perry has taken over setter duties for now, and he did a fine job on Friday, with 28 assists and even a rare show of defensive force at the net in the third set for the fourth-year Abbotsford native, listed at an even six feet tall.
 
"I ask so much of Ian all the time and it's not easy for him to switch around like that and try to play big in a big man's game when he's not the biggest guy out there," said Schick. "Definitely good to see him get that block down the stretch. I'm sure he'll be talking about that for a while."
 
Noah Derksen is also playing out of position, slotting in at libero instead of his usual outside hitter spot. But he looked calm and comfortable in his new role, leading all players with 11 digs in the match.
 
"Noah's a gamer. He likes to be out there and make plays, and for him to be able to switch over from an attacking role to a libero role and do as well as he did tonight is important for us."
 
Chow got the bulk of the sets on attack for UBC, as he has become the primary target on the outside with Ireland sitting out. In addition to his 11 kills on Friday, he added a match-high three aces, and had seven digs.
 
"I think there has to be expectations for Ben. He brings it upon himself the way he carries himself on the court, and he's definitely going to have to be a main guy for us," said Schick. "If he's not, we don't stand a chance, so I think this was good for him."
 
Alex Russell had six kills on 10 attacks in the middle, adding three block assists.
 
UBC hit .312 as a team and played very clean offensive volleyball, with only six attacking errors committed all match.
 
For the Bisons, second-year Devren Dear set the pace with 15 kills on 31 attacks. Fellow second-year Kevin Falconer had 12 kills and freshman Adam DeJonckheere added 11.
 
Both teams are now 1-2 on the season. One of them will be back to .500 after tomorrow, when they wrap up their two-game set at War Memorial Gym. The action starts at 7 p.m.
 
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