The Matchup

UBC is off to Kamloops where they'll look to build on their 4-0 record in a two game tilt at Thompson Rivers University. The 'Birds are ranked sixth in the U Sports Top 10, and will go head-to-head with 2015-2016 CIS Player of the Year and Canada West MVP Iuliia Pakhomenko - who has racked up the second most kills (99) and the most points (123) in just six U Sports matches this season.
 
The Thunderbirds have lost just two sets to start the season and have shown their depth both offensively and defensively - cracking the top three league-wide in hitting percentage, points and blocks per set.


 
In the last matchup of the two western foes, UBC defeated the WolfPack 3-0 and 3-1 on solid performances from returning players Danielle Brisebois and Laura MacTaggart.
 

Last Action

Coming off of a bye week, the T-Birds are rested and ready to head out on the road with the momentum of a six-game sweep of Winnipeg in their back pocket. UBC utilized their depth in the two shutout victories over the Wesman two weeks ago, and dominated with 84 kills and 67 digs in the 3-0 (25-15, 25-24, and 25-21) 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, and 25-11) series win.
 
Thompson Rivers came away with a split last weekend against Mount Royal, losing 3-1 on night one before coming back to down the Cougars 3-2 and improving to 3-3 in U Sports play.
 

By the Numbers

90 – the league-low number of WolfPack serving errors over their six matches thus far.
 
11.86 – the fourth overall assists per set by the Thunderbirds, showing their strength in setting - led by Alessandra Gentile who earned 57 assists in six sets last weekend.
 

Players To Watch

Victoria Behie – (#5, Outside Hitter) – in her third year of eligibility, Behie is the second leading attacker with 29 kills (2.07 per set), and first in digs with 29.

Maggie Li – (#1, Middle) – the fourth-year North Saanich product has used her cannon of a serve for six aces on the season - one behind the team-high (7) of Gentile.
 

Coach's Take

"We've had a good two weeks of preparation with the bye weekend, and are looking forward to a very competitive match. It's helped us to become a little bit healthier and ready to get going again," says UBC Head Coach Doug Reimer.  "Part of going on the road is getting used to the facilities -- theirs is a little different than the majority of gyms. You've got to be able to adapt because it affects serving and passing in particular. Thompson Rivers has last year's player of the year, and they've added little bit more experience and a little more depth than they had a year ago."