VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds men's volleyball team (12-8), ranked seventh in the latest CIS top 10, will have a chance to punch their ticket to the Canada West playoffs this weekend, as they prepare to host a Saskatchewan Huskies (11-9) squad that has the chance to do the same. The two sides are set to clash in a two-game series at War Memorial Gym.
 
The first of the two games will take place at 7:30 p.m. (PT) on Friday, February 12, while the second is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. (PT) start on Saturday, February 13.
 
The 'Birds, with a single win, can lock up their place in the post-season, but according to UBC head coach Richard Schick, that hasn't played into their preparation for this weekend at all.
 
"It really doesn't affect how we do things," said Schick of the looming potential playoff berth. "Around the league, everybody is playing in important matches, as it comes down to the end of the regular season. There are a lot of teams scrapping for the playoffs right now, including us, so we can't think ahead too far. We have to be focused on the job at hand, and that's winning this week."
 
UBC was left reeling last weekend, as the Thompson Rivers WolfPack, headlined by star outside hitter Brad Gunter, took both matches from the host T-Birds but scores of 3-1 and 3-2, with the latter being an absolute heartbreaker.
 
Looking to rebound, the T-Birds will need statement performances from their veterans, including fifth-year middle Alex Russell (Surrey, B.C.). Russell, a 6-foot-10 two-way threat, has been a consistent force at the net and on the attack for the 'Birds all season – he sits tied for the conference's top spot in blocks-per-set at 1.15, and is also the clear Canada West leader in attack efficiency at 0.419. Russell's strength on the attack also stands out among his fellow blockers, as his 2.29 kills-per-game is the most of any player with at least 0.95 blocks-per-set.
 
"Alex has been  great – we've asked so much of him, in terms of being the focus of different gameplans, and leadership," said UBC head coach Richard Schick of his star middle. "He's responded so well, and he's having a dream senior season – he wants to play well this upcoming weekend, and he wants to extend our season."
 
With Russell at the net, one clear advantage that the 'Birds have over Saskatchewan is in defending their own half of the court. The T-Birds rank second in the Canada West in both blocks-per-set (2.64) and digs-per-set (10.07). On the other hand, Saskatchewan sits seventh (2.33) and 13th (8.41) in those same two categories.
 
However, while Saskatchewan might fall short on defense, they also feature a duo of attackers as good as any in the conference. In fifth-year outside hitters Jordan Nowakowski and Andrew Nelson, the Huskies boast the 11th and 13th-ranked players in the Canada West in terms of kills-per-set, at 3.55 and 3.24, respectively. The 6-foot-6 Nowakowski also sits fifth in attack efficiency at 0.317, while the 6-foot-7 Nelson comes in in 15th, at 0.264.