The Matchup

UBC (5-1) will host the defending Canada West Champion Trinity Western Spartans (5-1) on Friday at 12 pm before renewing acquaintances on Saturday at 1:30 pm in Langley. It'll be a U Sport battle of top 10 teams, with Trinity Western ranked fourth and the T-Birds slotted in at number 8 coming into the rare home and away two game set.  


 
The two division rivals last met in the CIS National semi-final bout with the Spartans coming away with a four-set win – their first over the 'Birds in post-season play. In the 2015-2016 regular season, UBC and TWU each earned a victory in the series split.
 

Last Action

UBC (5-1) is coming home after its first loss of the season, falling 0-3 to the Thompson Rivers WolfPack before storming back and taking game two 3-0 on the road.
 
Trinity Western rolls into town on a six-set streak after dominating MacEwan 3-0, 3-0 on home court to improve to 5-1. The Spartans are tied with the Thunderbirds in points, but have only dropped 3 sets thus far in U Sports action to the T-Birds 6 sets lost.


 

By the Numbers

18 – Danielle Brisebois hit for her second highest number of kills this year with 18 in a win over TRU. Brisebois continues to lead the Thunderbird offence as they outmatch the Spartans in hitting percentage at 0.221.
 
10.7 – the Spartans' setter, Nikki Cornwall, has the most assists per set with nearly 11.
 

Players To Watch

Emily Cicon – (#7, Middle) – the menacing middle blocker has gathered the third most blocks per set in U Sports play with 1.38, teammate Ciara Hanly isn't far behind in fourth with 1.26.



Laura Worsley – (#18, Libero) – coming off the bench last weekend in Kamloops, the second-year libero cranked six service aces that were key in the T-Bird victory.