VANCOUVER – After letting a 2-1 lead slip away in a key match on Friday against the Bobcats, UBC took revenge on Saturday with a solid 3-1 win (25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 27-25) in Brandon on Saturday, putting the Thunderbirds in prime position to host a first-round playoff series.
Richard Schick recorded his 100th victory as head coach of the Thunderbirds, achieving the milestone in his hometown of Brandon.
BOX SCORE
Canada West kills leader Sam Tuivai gave the 'Birds just about all they could handle, but after his seven-kill performance led the Bobcats to a win in set two, UBC did manage to contain the star hitter well enough to outlast Brandon down the stretch.
With the score tied at 17 in the fourth set, the UBC defence forced Tuivai into five attack errors to close out the match, including a huge block from middle
Chris Howe to set up match point. And on match point it was the block getting the job done again, with outside hitter
Jarrid Ireland and setter
Milan Nikic combining to stuff Craig Lowe at the net and secure the win.
UBC outblocked Brandon 14-11, with Howe setting the pace. He had three solo blocks and six total blocks, and was very efficient offensively as well, with eight kills on .385 hitting.
His best one of the night came late in the fourth, when a desperation dig by the T-Birds at the back of the court headed straight for him at the net. With his back turned to the net, the big man gracefully tipped the ball back over his head like a veteran setter making a crafty dump, putting UBC up 24-22.
On the outside, UBC used a very balanced three-way attack featuring Ireland,
Ben Chow and
David Zeyha. Ireland led the team with 15 kills and added four blocks, while Chow had 13 kills and Zeyha 11.
Nikic had a great night setting the ball, racking up 46 assists to compliment a solid defensive effort and 10 digs.
Tuivai had 26 kills for the Bobcats, and Roy Ching added 14.
The win moves UBC up to 13-7, and more importantly, it puts the pressure on Manitoba to take down unbeaten Alberta in their match later on Friday to keep pace with the 'Birds in the standings. A Manitoba loss would have UBC alone in fourth place by one game, with just two matches remaining in the regular season.
If they can finish fourth or better, UBC will host a first-round playoff series for the first time since the 2007-08 season.
The T-Birds host Mount Royal next week in their regular season finale series. Those games are February 8 and 9 at 8 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively.
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