VANCOUVER – A new look UBC Thunderbirds team lost in four sets to the Calgary Dinos (25-23, 25-23, 21-25, 25-20) on Thursday night in the opening game of the West Coast Classic at War Memorial Gym.
 
Victoria Behie led the Thunderbirds with 12 kills, while Gabriella Attieh had 11.
 
Outside hitter Laura McManes paced the Calgary offence with 10 kills.
 
The 2016 U SPORTS champion Thunderbirds saw several key players graduate and leave the squad, but UBC head coach Doug Reimer believes the next wave of Thunderbirds players is ready to lead the charge.


 
"We're giving up a little bit of height, but I though for significant portions of the match we played with the determination we need to. There was some good ball control and good passing."
 
The Thunderbirds were also playing the match without star recruit Kiera Van Ryk, recovering from a mild ankle injury suffered in training. Van Ryk expects to be healthy for the start of the Canada West regular season.
 
"It's everybody being committed and engaged everyday," added Reimer. "That's what's going to make us good."
 
UBC plays Mount Royal on Friday and Alberta on Saturday to wrap up the West Coast Classic. They 'Birds begin their Canada West season on October 20 on the road in Kelowna versus the UBC Okanagan Heat.