Regina, SK - The quest for a record setting seventh straight CIS National Championship remains intact for the UBC Thunderbirds women's volleyball team after they defeated Laval 3-1 (24-26, 25-13, 25-21, 25-18) in the national semi-final Saturday night in Regina.
For the second straight night, the Thunderbirds lost the first set before winning three straight to earn the victory. Early on though, it looked like UBC was in full control leading 16-7 over Laval at the technical timeout in the first set. However, the Rouge et Or would not go away and slowly got themselves back into the set thanks to the Thunderbirds struggling with Laval's short service game and a number of unforced errors. Laval came all the way back to take a 21-20 lead, but the Thunderbirds woke up and rattled off four straight points to go ahead 24-21. The Rouge et Or again refused to give up, fighting off three match points to comeback and defeat UBC 26-24 in the opening set.
The second set was all Thunderbirds from the first serve on. UBC jumped out to a 7-1 lead. Laval would cut the lead to 17-13, before the Thunderbirds responded by winning the final eight points, including an epic rally which saw the 'Birds throwing their bodies around to keep the point alive, 25-13 was the score.
Like the first two sets, UBC jumped out to an early lead in the third set leading 12-6. With Laval's focus on trying to contain Lisa Barclay, Rosie Schlagintweit was a big factor with a number of kills to keep UBC in front. Again though, Laval would not go away, eventually taking a 20-19 lead. However, the Thunderbirds led by some stellar defence from Mariah Bruinsma took charge to win the set 25-21 and take a 2-1 lead.
The fourth set played out opposite to the first three sets with Laval jumping out to the lead, going up by as many as five points, 10-5. UBC would get back into it, led by Abbey Keeping to go up 16-15 at the technical timeout. Tied at 17-17, the Thunderbirds had enough and went on a run scoring eight of the next nine points to win 25-18 and take the match 3-1.
"I have so much faith and trust in our team," said fourth year middle blocker Abbey Keeping. "We have so much belief in each other. Earlier this month we had a chance to speak with Rick Hansen and he emphasized honouring ourselves and honouring this team and trusting each other and that was huge part of our success today."
Keeping, who has been battling sickness all weekend, was named the player of the game after a stellar performance which saw her finish with 15 kills and eight blocks.Â
"Words cannot describe what it means to be in this final again for my fourth year in a row, it is truly special," said Keeping. "This group of girls is amazing and I couldn't ask for a better team. Every year is different, this year is a completely different team from last year. Our faith and trust in each other is going to get us through again and help us bring home a championship."
Barclay led all players with 20 kills to go along with 12 digs. Schlagintweit had nine kills and 12 digs, while Juliana Kaufmanis had a strong game as well with nine kills, 10 digs, and five blocks.
Setter Kirsty Setterlund collected 50 assists and seven digs in the win
Laval were led by Eve Thibault and Ester Gilbert with 10 kills respectively.Â
For the third straight year it will be an all Canada West final as the Thunderbirds will take on the Manitoba Bisons in a rematch of the conference final a week ago. The Bisons defeated Dalhousie in straight sets in the other semi-final.
Game time is 4:00 pm PST and will be webcast live at http://cis-sic.tv.
