REGINA, Sask. – For the second straight night, UBC's
Mat Guidi (Coquitlam, B.C.) led all players in kills in a straight sets victory. The third-year outside hitter knocked down 12 kills for his team, which claimed a Canada West men's volleyball victory by scores of 25-20, 28-26, and 25-17.
Â
The 'Birds hit .389 as they evened their conference record to 2-2 on the season.
Â
Setter
Byron Keturakis (Surrey, B.C.) was all over the stat sheet with 32 assists, seven kills, and seven digs. Keturakis had those seven kills on just nine attacks, as he led all players with a .667 hitting percentage.
Mac McNicol (Calgary) added nine kills, while
Irvan Brar (Surrey, B.C.) put down eight kills and
Alex Russell (Surrey, B.C.) had five to go along with a match-high seven blocks.
Â
Libero
Jarrid Ireland (Winnipeg) had eight digs for UBC.
Â
Matthew Lueck finished with nine kills for the Cougars, who drop to 1-5 on the season with the loss. Andre Borgeaud and Joshua Nickel both had eight kills, while libero Jacques Borgeaud led all players with nine digs.
Â
UBC and Regina were tied 12-12 in the first set before the Thunderbirds reeled off the next seven points to pull away. McNicol started the run with a kill and then went back to the line to serve. The Thunderbirds won six more points in a row on McNicol's serve, a surge that included two aces from the fourth-year outside hitter.
Â
In the second set, UBC fought off Regina set points at 24-23 and 25-24, which allowed the team to come back and win two straight points after the Cougars staved off a set point for the 'Birds at 26-25.
Â
The third set played out much like the first, as the teams were tied at 11-11 before UBC pulled away. The visitors won 11 of the next 13 points to take control and earn the sweep.
Â
Both teams will now prepare for two home matches next weekend. The Thunderbirds will entertain Calgary next Friday and Saturday as part of
UBC Thunderbirds Super Weekend, while the Cougars will welcome Brandon to the CKHS.
Â
- with files from Braden Konschuh (Regina Sports Information)Â