The Matchup
For the first time since 2014-15, the UBC Thunderbirds will make a trip to Winnipeg for the Canada West Final Four. Already having secured a place in the U SPORTS National Championship on March 16-19 in Edmonton, the 'Birds will have their work cut out for them if they want to win their first Canada West crown since 1984.
The fourth seeded T-Birds will battle number one seed and tournament host Manitoba Bisons. Currently ranked No. 2 in U SPORTS, the Bisons are hosting Final Four for the first time in 13 years after finishing atop the Canada West standings and receiving a quarterfinal bye. With a pair of hard-fought five-set wins to sweep Brandon last week, No. 6 UBC has now won 10 of its last 12. UBC is 8-5 away from Vancouver, but Manitoba was a perfect 11-0 at home this season and took two matches from the T-Birds, 3-2 and 3-1, at the Investors Group Athletic Centre in January.
First serve in the match-up goes on Friday, March 10 at 4:30pm PT. The bronze medal game and championship final will be played Saturday afternoon.
All games are available on
CanadaWest.TV.
By the numbers
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 1984 / 5
Last CIS championship / total CIS championships: 1983 / 3
2016-17 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 15.4, 8th
Kills per set: 11.89, 8th
Hitting percentage: .241, 5th
2016-17 regular season leaders:
Kills: 317 –
Irvan Brar, Outside Hitter
Digs: 197 –
Tyson Smith, Libero
Blocks: 86 –
Joel Regehr, Middle
Aces: 42 –
Byron Keturakis, Setter
Assists: 918 –
Byron Keturakis, Setter
