The University of British Columbia Athletics

Vancouver, BC - Saturday afternoon, the No. 1 ranked UBC women's volleyball team won the first of two contests this weekend against the University of Calgary Dinos with an authoritative 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-11) win. With the victory UBC improves to 9-0, while the Dinos fall to 4-5 on the year.
 
UBC immediately grabbed the momentum in the first set with a quick kill by Abbey Keeping. In the front row, Keeping and Mariah Bruinsma put-up strong blocks to deter Dino attacks, while Rosie Schlagintweit championed the offense with four kills in the opening set. As play progressed, the 'Birds kept up this momentum, leading by six in the middle of the set. The Dinos struggled to respond to Thunderbird attacks and UBC's Kirsty Setterlund kept Calgary guessing by alternating her sets across the court. After a five-person substitution late in the set by head coach Doug Reimer, the 'Birds would close the set 25-17 with a commanding block by Juliana Kaufmanis and Mariah Bruinsma.
 
UBC found itself first on the scoreboard in the second set with an ace by Kirtsy Setterlund. Early in the set, play was far more competitive than in the first, as the Dinos managed to fall into a comfortable rhythm. UBC responded with commanding attacks from Alissa Coulter, Lisa Barclay, and Mariah Bruinsma. Abbey Keeping came alive in the middle of the set, creating opportunities for the 'Birds through strong serves, consistent blocks, and hard attacks. The game was tied 16-16 and the scoreboard then oscillated between teams until the set ended with a block from Alissa Coulter and Mariah Bruinsma to put UBC ahead for good, winning the set 25-22.
 
The Dinos went on a 3-0 run to start the third set. UBC answered and regained the lead as Abbey Keeping and Lisa Barclay led the 'Birds with fierce attacks, while libero Briana Liau Kent established her defensive position, tallying seven digs by the end of the third set. In the middle of the set, the 'Birds were ahead by five with no intention of letting up. As the set continued, UBC strengthened their lead and after a kill by Danielle Brisebois, UBC clinched the third set, 25-11.
 
The 'Birds offense was led by Rosie Schlagintweit, Lisa Barclay, and Abbey Keeping, who tallied 12, 9, and 9 kills, respectively. Barclay also led the team in digs, with 11; Kirsty Setterlund contributed 35 assists.
 
Ali Woolley led Calgary with 8 kills while Maura Hayes tallied 10 digs.
 
Tomorrow, these two teams will face-off again at 1:00 pm at War Memorial Gymnasium. Come out and support your Thunderbirds or tune into canadawest.tv to watch a live-stream of the game.