Vancouver, BC - The UBC Thunderbirds women's volleyball team will end the 2014-2015 Canada West regular season with a visit from the University of Regina Cougars this upcoming weekend.
UBC currently holds the seventh and final playoff position in Canada West standings with a regular season record of 11-11. This weekend's matchup versus the Cougars will be an important one, as the two teams immediately proximal to them in conference standings in Manitoba (12-10) and MacEwan (10-12) face off this weekend. Regina heads into the final weekend of the regular season knowing that it will be their last, as their 7-15 record will not compete for a playoff spot.
Three UBC fifth-year players will play their last home games in War Memorial Gymnasium. Rosie Schlagintweit, Abbey Keeping, and Lisa Barclay will hang up their Thunderbird jerseys for the last time at the culmination of this season after five dedicated years of service. These three athletes, each of whom came to UBC straight from high school, have won three Canada West Championships as well as three CIS National Championships during their time at UBC.
Schlagintweit, a 2010 graduate of Yale Secondary in Abbotsford, has averaged 2.81 kills per set on the right-side in her fifth season with the Thunderbirds.
"I'm trying not to think about it being my last games at home," said Schlagintweit, who was a 2013-2014 CIS Second Team All-Canadian. "This weekend really matters – we need to win to make playoffs."
The Thunderbirds can solidify their playoff position with two victories this weekend, although other favourable scenarios may take place to ensure their admittance into the postseason.
Regarding a memorable UBC experience, Schlagintweit cites her first taste of Canada West action, taking place on October 29th, 2010 against Trinity Western.
"I still remember getting subbed in to serve in my first game of first year, and my legs were shaking," said a smiling Schlagintweit. "It's funny how far you come."
Keeping, who has seen a prominent and fairly consistent starting role with the Thunderbirds beginning in her fourth season, has evolved into a force in the middle for UBC. This season she has averaged 1.49 kills per set with 81 total blocks through 22 games. She mentions the connections that she's made through being a part of the UBC program as a key component of her experience.
"It has less to do with the volleyball, but more about how much I've grown as a person over these five years," said Keeping. "Every individual here has helped me grow up and to become a better person. I think the biggest thing that I'll miss is just the people, and how they make your life better."
This season has been up and down for the Thunderbirds. Their 11 losses marks the most in program history, though not for lack of quality play. In an ultra-competitive Canada West conference this season, UBC has dropped eight five-set matches, while beating each of the top three teams in Alberta, Trinity Western, and UBC-Okanagan.
"Throughout the season our mental toughness has been a bit of a rollercoaster," said Keeping. "But as of late it's been more of a steady progression upwards – I think we're just now starting to come together as a team."
With playoffs just around the corner, the Thunderbirds will need every bit of mental fortitude at their disposal. CIS Nationals will take place the last weekend of February at the University of Toronto.
Barclay rounds out the trio of UBC seniors. Hailing from Brandon, MB, Barclay has had an illustrious career through five years with the Thunderbirds. Through several years of being named a CIS First Team All-Canadian, Barclay has been a key component to the Thunderbirds throughout her time at UBC.
Similar to Keeping, Barclay commends her teammates for their overall influence on her progression both on and off the court.
"A big part of the reason why I grew as much as I did was the people on the team," she said. "Not being able to play for this school and with these people is going to be a hard thing to leave behind."
After helping the UBC program to a fifth consecutive national championship in 2012, Barclay was named the CIS Tournament Most Valuable Player in just her second season in the league. The very next season, her third, Barclay was once again given the CIS Tournament MVP award after leading the Thunderbirds to yet another CIS Championship.
Barclay's fourth season was statistically her best. Leading the nation with 4.26 kills per set, her 4.99 total points per set was the highest average of any player in the Canada West in the previous seven years. For her performance, Barclay was given the title of 2013-2014 CIS Player of the Year.
"Thinking back to where I was in first year seems like so long ago," said Barclay. "We've played some memorable games in [War Memorial], so it will be a pretty special weekend to play the last couple here."
Regarding the mindset heading into this weekend against Regina, Barclay notes a full team effort will be required.
"We'll try to focus on improving our consistency overall as a team," said Barclay. "Last weekend we struggled with our block and defense a little bit."
Heading into this last weekend of Canada West regular season action, UBC will not be contending to host a playoff match this postseason. The Thunderbirds women's volleyball program have finished first in Canada West standings in each of the previous five seasons, and have hosted playoff matches for the past seven dating back to the 2007-2008 season.
Matches against Regina this weekend will take place in UBC's War Memorial Gymnasium, with Friday and Saturday matches initiating at 6:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., respectively.
