VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds swept through their opening action of the 2017-18 season with three straight exhibition wins at the Griffin-Panda Classic over the weekend in Edmonton.
 
UBC overmatched their opponents, losing only one set all weekend. The 'Birds started with a straight set victory over Calgary (25-23, 26-24, 25-20), then dispatched MacEwan in straight sets (25-17, 25-22, 25-20), before taking care of McMaster with a four set victory (22-25, 25-13, 25-21, 25-19).
 
"A great start for our first matches of the year. Given a lot of new faces on the team I was impressed in a number of areas. We passed the ball well, we played scrappy defence and finished sets well," said UBC head coach Doug Reimer. "With the high volume of scrimmage matches as well as two other official matches it is a way to grow as a team and help us set direction for the remainder of pre-season."


 
Siobhan Finan was top server for the 'Birds, totaling seven aces over the three matches.
 
First-year outside hitter Kiera Van Ryk showed she is ready to make waves at the U SPORTS level, as she led UBC with 37 kills and a .280 killing efficiency.
 
Ciara Hanley was a stalwart on defence, putting up 11 blocks over the three matches.
 
The Thunderbirds continue their pre-season when they host the annual West Coast Classic on October 13-15 at UBC's War Memorial Gym.