Matchup
In a battle of the sister schools the UBC Thunderbirds will take on the UBCO Heat in Kelowna to begin theirs 2017-18 Canada West seasons.
Both games go at UBC Okanagan Gymnasium with the opener on Friday, October 20 at 7pm and the re-match on Saturday, October 21 at 8pm.
Both games are available on CanadaWest.TV.
Last Action
UBC finished fourth overall in U SPORTS in 2016-17 in head coach
Kerry MacDonald's innaugural season with the program. MacDonald returns all of his starters, adds an impressive recruiting class and also bolsters his roster with two All-Canadian level players in outside hitter
Keith West and libero
Ben Chow. West will miss the first few weeks of the season as he returns to eligibility, one calendar year after ending his time with the Calgary Dinos.
After a tough start to 2016-17, the Heat rattled off four consecutive victories to end their season, missing the Canada West playoffs. The 'Birds and Heat met in mid-September with UBC winning the non-conference match-up three sets to one.
By the Numbers
3.46 – can UBC star hitter
Irvan Brar improve on his eye-popping kills/set average from 2016-17?
9 – of the 'Birds 19 overall win in 2016-17, 9 of them wer done in five sets. UBC likes to play the 'long game'.
Players to Watch
Fynn McCarthy – the dynamic freshman from Winfield, BC looks to make an immediate impact on the 'Birds line-up.
Mat Guidi – had a breakout season in 2016-17, the senior will be looking to take his game to the next level in his final season with the 'Birds.
Coach's take
"One thing that our group learned last year is that there are no easy matches in Canada West. I expect our group to be ready for a battle in Kelowna in what will be their home opener," said MacDonald. "UBCO is a strong team and really well coached group. That should make for an exiting match."
