KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBC Thunderbirds got their season underway on Friday night against the UBC Okanagan Heat. The rivalry match saw the visitors open their season with a victory, as the Thunderbirds beat the Heat 3-1 in the UBC Okanagan gymnasium.
 
"I've been telling our guys that every game will be a battle this season in Canada West," said UBC head coach Kerry MacDonald. "Tonight was no exception. I thought both teams struggled a bit from the serve, but it was very tight match-up."
 
First Set
 
UBC took the opener 25-21. The visitors' offense was on full display, putting away 16 kills on a .464 hitting percentage, they set the tone for the match early. The Heat had leads early in the set, but the Thunderbirds pulled ahead at 10-9 and were ahead from then on.
 
Second Set
 
The second was tight all the way through. Neither side was able to get way out ahead, and the Heat up at 23-22 before the Thunderbirds scored three straight points to take a 2-0 set lead.
 
Third Set
 
The Heat got their first set win of the season in the third, taking it 25-21. They had the lead all the way through, after jumping ahead 3-0 to start. That was the only time in the set that either side scored more than twice consecutively, and after they essentially alternated points the Heat were able to close it out.
 
Fourth Set
 
The Thunderbirds closed out their first win of the season with a 25-22 fourth set victory to lock it up, 3-1. The Heat never led in the final frame, but tied it up twice and were within a point at 22-21 and 23-22. Back-to-back kills for the 'Birds courtesy of Irvan Brar and Mat Guidi provided the final two points.
 
"Our service return was very good," added MacDonald. "Our libero Tyson Smith played very well and so did Ben Chow coming off the bench. Both those guys had very good performances."
 
The UBC Okanagan Heat (0-1) and the UBC Thunderbirds (1-0) will face off again Saturday evening, with first serve set to go at 7 p.m. in the UBC Okanagan gymnasium.