KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBC Thunderbirds got their 2017-18 season started with 3-1 victory the Okanagan Heat at Okangan Heat Gymnasium on Friday night. The rivalry match opened the season with some intensity for the institution's two campuses, as both teams came out swinging.

"Like many first matches of the year there were a lot of ups and downs. Actually, for us it was a big down in the first set but the group did a great job rebounding from that terrible start," said UBC head coach Doug Reimer. "We passed well enough and got our middles involved offensively. Our serving was key especially in the third set." 

Kiera Van Ryk was the most dominant player on the court in the first match of the year, burying 19 kills on a .424 hitting percentage. She and Gabrielle Attieh combined for a total of 27 points for the Thunderbirds, as Attieh finished with 12 kills on .550 hitting. Setting them up on the attack was Alessandra Gentile, who had 39 assists and added seven digs and a service ace for good measure.

"We had a lot of players contributing, both starters and players coming in off the bench," added Reimer. "Kiera's performance was impressive given that she's had limited training this week after missing several weeks with an ankle sprain." 
 
First Set
 
The Heat took the first set by a score of 25-18. Kills were 12-11 in favour of UBC, but UBCO had just two errors to the T-Birds' ten. The Heat hit .391 and the Thunderbirds hit just .059 in the opening frame. UBC Okanagan jumped ahead 3-0 to start it, and never trailed from then on.
 
Second Set
 
The Thunderbirds took the second set, 25-18. They jumped out quickly in the second set, pulling ahead 5-0 and forcing Heat head coach Steve Manuel to call a time out. The Heat stormed back to within one late in the set, at 18-17, but the 'Birds closed it out with four straight points.
 
Third Set
 
Third set went to the Thunderbirds, again at 25-18. The Heat were ahead in the early stages, but UBC pulled ahead at 10-9 and then scored six straight to take a 16-10 lead. Gabrielle Attieh earned a kill to earn her side the final point and go ahead 2-1.
 
Fourth Set
 
The fourth set was the closest of the match, with the Thunderbirds eventually sealing the match with a 26-24 win. Siobhan Fitzpatrick had one of the biggest kills of the match early on for the Heat's fourth point, but the home side wouldn't lead in the frame until they pulled ahead 19-18 amidst a five-point run. Ann Richards had an enormous kill that may have outdone Fitzpatrick's, to go up 22-21, but the visitors were able to hold off the comeback and closed it out.

The two teams will have a rematch on Saturday at 6pm in Kelowna.