The Matchup

 
The UBC Thunderbirds men's volleyball team opens their 2016-17 season on the road in Saskatchewan versus the Huskies. The match-up will mark new UBC Head Coach Kerry MacDonald's first action at the helm of the 'Birds.
 
UBC will be looking to repay the Huskies for last season when 'The Dogs' came into War Memorial Gym and swept the 'Birds on consecutive nights. The two late season losses were pivotal moments in the T-Birds season, as they ended up missing the Canada West playoffs for the first time in seven years.
 
 

Last Action

 
UBC will be looking to build on an eventful pre-season that saw them travel to Korea where they matched up against professional teams. UBC has faired well against Canada West opponents, beating UBC Okanagan 3-2 and narrowly losing to Trinity Western 3-2. In both games UBC used their starters sparingly.


 
Saskatchewan has had a busy pre-season, going 7-1 against a collection of Canada West and OUA teams.
 
 

By the Numbers

13-11 – UBC's record in 2015-16, which was respectable, but not good enough to sneak into the Canada West playoffs. The 'Birds need a good start to the season in order to get back meaningful games in March 2017.
 
.242 – UBC's attack percentage in 2015-16. A respectable number, but the 'Birds need to raise the bar if they want to compete with the top teams in Canada West.
 
 

Players To Watch

 
 
Mat Guidi – (#14, OH) – will be expected to provide a lot of attacking for the 'Birds this season, with the graduation of All-Canadian Alex Russell.


 
Byron Keturakis – (#1, S) – the top setter on the Thunderbirds looks ready to take his game to the next level in his third season with the 'Blue and Gold'.
 
 

Coach's Take

 
"We just want to improve upon what we saw in pre-season," says UBC Head Coach Kerry MacDonald. "We've continually got a little bit better with each match we've played in the pre-season, from Korea to this past weekend against three very good Canada West teams. We are seeing that slow progression and that commitment to the process of getting better. I'd like to see another step in that direction against Saskatchewan."