Vancouver, BC - When it looked like they were down and out and headed for a third and deciding game tomorrow, the UBC Thunderbirds men's volleyball team found their form and rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Manitoba in five sets and sweep their opening round playoff series 2-0. UBC improved to 5-0 on the year against Manitoba, winning 22-25, 18-25, 25-19, 25-19, 15-8 in front of a raucous crowd Saturday night at War Memorial Gym.
It was a tale of two games for the Thunderbirds. In the first two sets, nothing went their way. They couldn't gain any momentum and they didn't do themselves any favours with a number of key mental errors. The Bisons were in complete control from the opeing serve until midway through the third set when the 'Birds came to life. From their UBC never looked back winning three straight sets to close out the match.
"The Bisons came out very aggressive and we knew we would have to weather the storm, I just didn't realize the storm would last two sets," said UBC head coach
Richard Schick. "We really were flat to start, couldn't find the court at all, but fortunately we don't have a quitter in this group and the guys were able to get back in it and come away with the victory."
UBC took their very first lead of the night in the third set, when
Alex Russell made a block to put the Thunderbirds up 11-10. It was part of a 4-0 run for UBC. Two big kills from
David Zeyha and a big block from
Chris Howe closed out the set for UBC, 25-19.
Momentum continued to be on the 'Birds side in the fourth set, as they kept a two point advantage through the set. Midway through Zeyha and
Ben Chow came up with huge back row kills to put UBC up 15-11. Manitoba would cut the lead to three, but that is as close as they would come. Howe came up with another huge block on set point to earn the 'Birds a 25-19 win.
In the fifth set, the key point saw
Chris Howe make a save at the net to keep the point alive and then
Ben Chow finished it off with one of his 15 kills on the night to give UBC a 6-3 lead.
David Zeyha had back to back kills to get the 'Birds to match point and then
Milan Nikic finished it off for the 15-8 victory to clinch the match and the best-of-3 series, 2-0.
"We just had to stay patient and believe in what we were doing," said Schick. "We have been in a lot of five setters this year, so for our guys to stick with it was impressive. They started making plays, making blocks, and hitting serves. That was the difference."
David Zeyha and
Jarrid Ireland each finished the night with a game high 16 kills.
Milan Nikic had 48 assists to go along with 10 digs.
Chris Howe was massive at the net all night with a game high nine blocks.
Dane Pischke led the Bisons with 15 kills and seven digs.
The Thunderbirds will now move on to the Canada West final four next weekend in Edmonton, joining the University of Alberta, Trinity Western, and Brandon University. UBC will face Trinity Western in the semi-finals. Three of the four teams will earn a berth to the CIS National Championships in Quebec City.
"We will take a day to enjoy this win and then it's back to business and start preparing for Trinity Western," said Schick.
