Vancouver, BC - The UBC Thunderbirds women's volleyball team continues their quest for a sixth straight CIS National Championship this Thursday when they play host to the Canada West Final Four. The other three teams joining UBC on their home court are Trinity Western, Alberta, and Mount Royal. The top 3 teams will advance to the CIS Nationals in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
UBC looks to join an exclusive club, becoming the third team in CIS women's volleyball history to win six straight national titles. Alberta accomplished the feat between 1995-2000, while the Winnipeg Wesmen were the first to do it from 1983-88.
The format for the two day event will see UBC take on Mount Royal in one semi-final, while Alberta and Trinity Western will square off in the another semi. The two winners will advance to the gold medal match, while the two losers will play in the bronze medal match.
Canada West Final Four Schedule
Thursday February 21 – Semi-Finals
At War Memorial Gym
6:00 pm – Mount Royal vs.
UBC
8:00 pm – Alberta vs. Trinity Western
Saturday February 23
At War Memorial Gym
1:00 pm – Bronze Medal Match
3:00 pm – Gold Medal Match
For more details with regards to tickets and parking,
click here.
UBC (21-1)
The Thunderbirds had a dominating regular season winning 21 of their 22 games and finishing on a 20 match-winning streak. They only lost seven sets all year and at one point during the season won 37 straight sets. UBC has been a mainstay on the national scene for two decades, having been to the nationals in 18 of their last 19 seasons.
vs. Mount Royal (2-0) – Cougars pushed the Thunderbirds in both games. UBC won 3-1 on both nights
Player to watch – 5
th year outside hitter
Shanice Marcelle is putting the finishing touches on a stellar university career. The two-time 1
st Team All-Canadian and 2011 CIS Player of the Year is one of the hardest hitters in the country and a member of the Canadian National Senior team.
Mount Royal (16-8)
Playing in their first season in the Canada West/CIS, the Cougars made quite an impression finishing fifth during the regular season. They went on to upset UBC Okanagan in the first round of the playoffs, sweeping the Heat in the best-of-three series in Kelowna. However, both matches ended up going to five sets.
vs. UBC (0-2) – Took a set off UBC in both games, but eventually were overpowered by the 5-time defending national champions
Player to watch – 1
st year outside hitter Carolyn O'Dwyer has quickly made a name for herself in the CIS. The rookie, who is a member of the Canadian Junior National team, was fifth in the league in kills, averaging 3.15 per set.
Trinity Western (21-3)
The only other team to be ranked number one in the nation this year besides UBC, the Spartans come into the playoffs having won 11 of their last 12 matches. They cruised in the Canada West quarterfinals defeating the Calgary Dinos 3-0, 3-0 to earn the two game sweep. They are looking to make their third straight appearance at the CIS Nationals with a top 3 finish.
vs. Alberta (1-1) – A late season match up in Edmonton saw these two teams split.
Player to watch – 3
rd year middle Alicia Perrin is a former Canada West Rookie of the Year and a 2
nd Team All-Canadian in 2012. She finished third in the conference in hitting percentage and second in blocks and is a member of the Canadian National Senior team.
Alberta (17-7)
Like UBC, the Pandas have been a perennial national contender for over 20 years. This season, they come into the final four as the third seed, having finished the regular season with a record of 15-7. They easily got by Manitoba in the first round of the playoffs, sweeping the Bisons without losing a single set.
vs. Trinity Western (1-1) – Having played each other just two weeks ago, Thursday's semi-final grudge match should be exciting to watch.
Player to watch – 5
th year setter Jaki Ellis is a member of the Canadian National Senior team and a two-time All-Canadian (1
st team in 2012, 2
nd team in 2011). Outstanding at serving up her teammates, she is also lights out from the service line having recently set a new Canada West record for career aces.
