Matchup

Ranked second in the nation, the UBC Thunderbirds (6-2) are back home after splitting a series on the road in Alberta to host the MacEwan Griffins (0-8) in a Friday matinee at 12:00 p.m. PT Friday, November 24 followed by a rematch Saturday at 5:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, November 25.
 


The 'Birds have won six matches in a row against the Griffins including earlier this year in pre-season action, and earned a pair of victories (3-0 and 3-1) at MacEwan last season.
 
 

Last Action

The T-Birds squared off with their division rivals at U of A last week coming away with a series split with the Pandas. UBC extended their winning streak to five after a straight sets victory on Friday, but fell 3-1 in the second half of the double-header. Kiera Van Ryk led the 'Birds with a whopping 38 kills in seven sets, while Olivia Furlan accumulated the most digs with 29.

MacEwan has yet to record a victory in conference play this season and most recently lost to the Bisons 3-0 and 3-2 in Manitoba.
 

By the Numbers

12.97 – With such a potent attacking core, the Thunderbirds now average the most assists per set in the Canada West. Setter Alessandra Gentile averages nearly 9 assists per set, with 260 on the season in total.
 
4.33 – MacEwan's libero Karly Edgar has amassed the most digs per set in the league.
 

Players to Watch

Kiera Van Ryk (#3, Left Side) – With her consistent attacking prowess, Van Ryk is now tied for first in the country with 4.31 kills per set and has the second most kills (125) in all of U SPORTS.
 

Home is where UBC rookie sensation Kiera Van Ryk's heart is, and always will be https://t.co/tDtWJczlcp pic.twitter.com/qgaipWeAo8

— Province Sports (@provincesports) November 22, 2017

Victoria Behie (#5, Outside Hitter) – The fourth-year hitter from Nanaimo had a season-high six kills against the Pandas last weekend, giving her 24 to date.
 

Coach's Take

The T-Birds saw a five-match win streak come to a halt in Edmonton last Saturday, but UBC head coach Doug Reimer says in the long-run, that might just be a good thing for his group.

"Sometimes coming out on the losing end can help recalibrate and hopefully that's the case," said the seven-time U SPORTS champion. "Hopefully we've learned some things in terms of our approach, to help us get better moving forward."

If there's one thing Reimer would like to see his team improve on it's giving fewer openings for the opposition.

"Can we reduce obvious, unforced errors but still play at a really assertive, high energy level, that's the goal," said Reimer who also says the way his team approaches these final two weeks of play in 2017 can also pay off down the road. "Playing well as a group is critical because in some ways these last few weeks are kind of like the practice for the second half of the season."